During European Science Night, we bring science closer to the public
Science doesn’t have to stay locked away in laboratories. The UCM Faculty of Natural Sciences has prepared interactive activities that will give visitors a glimpse into the world of cryptography, chemistry, environmental sciences, biotechnology, molecular biology, and microorganisms.
UCM’s activities will be available in Bratislava, Žilina, and Banská Bystrica. The common thread among all the booths is the effort to present science in a practical and understandable way—and, above all, to let visitors try it out for themselves.
When and where can you meet UCM?
📅 September 25, 2026
📍 Bratislava – Old Market Hall
KryptoLab: How Messages Are Hidden in the Digital World
📍 Žilina – Mirage
Shopping Center Atrium: Lab
Detectives—Hack a Plant and Discover the Power Hidden in the Connection Between Science and the Nature Around Us!
📍 Banská Bystrica – Europa Shopping Center
The Power of Life: A Molecular Perspective from DNA to the Cell
Admission to European Science Night is free.
Secret Messages and Digital Security in Bratislava
In Bratislava, visitors can stop by the KryptoLab booth: “How Messages Are Hidden in the Digital World,” which falls under the thematic area of “Information, AI, and Freedom of Choice.”
How does cryptography work? What is a digital fingerprint of text, and how are digital messages signed? Visitors will be able to find answers to these questions directly through interactive activities. At the same time, they’ll learn why post-quantum cryptography will become increasingly important. You can find out more about the KryptoLab booth here.
From the Lab Straight to the Detectives in Žilina
In Žilina, visitors can explore the “Detectives from the Lab” booth, which bridges chemistry and environmental sciences. Participants will briefly become lab detectives and, through hands-on experiments, uncover a variety of fascinating phenomena.
For example, they’ll try their hand at fluorescence under UV light, chromatography, microscopy, and observing radiation using a particle camera. There will also be experiments with plants, electric current, and chemical reactions accompanied by striking color changes. You can find out more about the “Lab Detectives” activity here.
Žilina will also offer a glimpse into the world of biotechnology and plants. A booth titled “Hack a Plant and Discover the Power Hidden in the Connection Between Science and the Nature Around Us!” will demonstrate how science can help find answers to current environmental challenges—from energy and food security to climate change and health risks.
Visitors will explore the possibilities of biotechnology and learn how the knowledge hidden within plants can be used to find solutions for a sustainable future. You can find more about the “Hack a Plant” booth here.
From DNA to Microorganisms in Banská Bystrica
In Banská Bystrica, UCM will present the booth “The Power of Life: A Molecular Perspective from DNA to the Cell.” Visitors will embark on a journey from the genetic code through cell structure to the world of microorganisms.
They’ll be able to assemble a protein chain using the genetic code, isolate DNA from fruit, or explore a 3D model of a cell. The activities will also include real-time observation of algae and microorganisms under a microscope.
The booth is designed for visitors of all ages—from elementary and high school students to adults who want to better understand the molecular processes behind how living organisms function. You can find more information about the “Power of Life” booth here.
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