The scientists from the Department of Plant Ecophysiology and the Department of Disturbance Ecology of the Institute of the Forest Ecology SAS have participated in EPIC project  „Školáci v práci INAK“ founded by Pontis and in co-operation with ARKON, a.s. Twenty-three schoolchildren from five elementary schools in Zvolen have experienced work with primary-education (charwoman, worker in warehouse, livestock breeder), secondary-education (waiter, librarian, town-policeman) and what a working day would look like in a position with a university degree (scientific worker, manager, HR-specialist). Up to 22 companies and institutions opened their doors to schoolchildren to give them a concept of ​​what they feel good about and how they want to continue their education. The experience gained with this project should result in a positive change in pupils’ attitudes and to show that they can change their lives by learning and working on themselves. 

“Young scientific-workers” got to know what the scientific work means, how it is important to link the knowledge across multiple disciplines such mathematics, biology, geography, chemistry, foreign languages, IT technologies. They actively participated in field research and solved the scientific problem dealing with the importance of forest ecosystems.

    This project is an activity of the larger program “Budúcnosť INAK” from the Pontis Foundation, which is aimed at the creation of out-of-school educational centers for children in the regions.