What happens when 23 of the most gifted high school students from across the country, top scientists, and a program packed with experiments come together in one place? You get a week that changes their perspective on science. The Hands-on Science 2025 summer course at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague proved that science isn't just about formulas and textbooks, but about curiosity, collaboration, and adventure. For many, it was the week that pointed them toward their future careers.
An Innovation That Broke the Ice: A Scientific Get-to-Know-You
Right on the first evening, participants experienced the premiere of an activity that became the hit of the week: Science Dating. This original format of scientific speed-dating, conceived by the organizers themselves, earned rave reviews. The goal wasn't to find a life partner, but to find common ground and shared scientific interests. And it succeeded brilliantly.
"Very good questions for starting friendships," one participant noted. Another appreciated that the activity was "very well thought out from all sides" and that he genuinely enjoyed it. Science Dating was the perfect way to kick off the friendly and open atmosphere that defined the entire course.
A Program for the Best of the Best
The course, held in August 2025, wasn't for just anyone. The participants were top young talents—winners of regional and national olympiads and the best students from schools involved in the prestigious EDU program. This high caliber of students allowed for a program that went into depth and exceeded all expectations.
The results speak for themselves: 64% of participants rated their experience as excellent, and the remaining 36% as good. With no negative feedback and an overall course rating of 4.64 out of 5, it's clear it was a resounding success.
From the Lab to the Zoo
Among the most highly-rated parts of the program were those where students could get first-hand experience:
- Practical work in laboratories, where they got to handle modern equipment and procedures.
- An unconventional look at entomology in the session "Insects as Livestock" led by Ing. Martin Kulma, Ph.D.
- Field research on soil in the "Soil Detectives" module with doc. Ing. Martin Kulhánek, Ph.D.
- A visit to Prague Zoo, combined with a tour of the CZU experimental plots in Troja, where students tasted freshly harvested fruit.
Science Without Borders
Modern science is international, and the course prepared students for this reality. The program included lectures in English led by international scientists, such as Aayushi Gupta with her topic "NanoPlant Photosynthesis Unveiled" and Anna Mascellani Bergo with "Understanding the Chemistry of Food."
More Than Just a Week: A Course That Shapes the Future
The most important outcome of the course is its real impact on the participants' future decisions. And the numbers are more than encouraging:
- 72% of participants stated that the course positively influenced them in their path toward a scientific career.
- 45% of students now consider it very likely that they will pursue studies or a career in a science-related field.
"The main goal was for you to try new things and meet new people," the organizers summarized. "We hope that you can now say with more certainty, 'Yes, this is a great direction for me, and I will enjoy it,' or, conversely, you know for sure that it's time to turn in a different direction."
What's Next?
The success of this year's course sets a high bar for the next. In their suggestions for improvement, students most often requested even more practical activities, more information about specific CZU fields of study, and a greater focus on animal-related topics.
As the organizers concluded in their message to the participants: "You were an absolutely amazing group! Thank you for a great week, and perhaps we'll see you again on the grounds of CZU or anywhere else in the world."
Hands-on Science is a summer science course organized by the Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague. More information about the program and applications for the next year can be found at vedcem.agrobiologie.cz.
