Coordinator
National Institute of Biology
The National Institute of Biology (NIB) is Slovenia's leading life-sciences research institute with internationally recognised expertise. It organises more than 40 public-engagement events every year, including the well-known Fascination of Plants Day. During the COVID-19 pandemic it staged the high-profile virtual event "In the Whirlwind of Change", watched by over 25,000 people. For NIB, communicating science to the public is a core part of its mission, not an afterthought — reflected in the fact that its researchers regularly receive national awards from the Slovenian Science Foundation for excellence in science communication. Thanks to this proven track record and strong organisational capacity, NIB coordinates the RhythmOfLife project.
Partners
Slovenian Museum of Natural History
Founded in 1821, the Slovenian Museum of Natural History (PMS) is Slovenia's oldest natural-history institution and the only museum of its kind in the country. It welcomes around 53,000 visitors a year and hosts major public events such as Museum Night, which draws thousands in a single evening. Museum scientists take an active part in research projects and present biodiversity through exhibitions designed for broad audiences, reflecting the museum's conviction that knowledge should reach beyond expert circles. This is further borne out by more than 70 years of collaboration with schools, through which PMS develops educational programmes for families and older generations, and by its management of the Juliana Alpine Botanical Garden in Trenta.
ZOO Ljubljana
With around 300,000 visitors a year, ZOO Ljubljana is one of Slovenia's most popular family destinations. It offers a wide range of educational programmes, including guided tours, workshops and seasonal camps, built on the belief that first-hand encounters with nature are the most effective way to build understanding and care for it. As a trusted institution with strong outreach to families and schools, its hands-on, interactive approach — inviting visitors to take part rather than simply observe — makes it a key partner for science communication and public engagement.
Kozjanski park
Kozjanski park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with a strong role in environmental education and community engagement. It runs programmes that promote respect for nature and sustainable practices for schools, families and visitors, built on the understanding that strong ties with the local community are the foundation of effective nature conservation. Its flagship Apple Festival attracts more than 25,000 visitors every year, alongside environmental days, workshops and cultural events such as Music Summer at Podsreda Castle. Initiatives such as the "Young Nature Guardian" camps teach the basics of field research and raise awareness of biodiversity.
Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation
The Institute of the Republic of Slovenia for Nature Conservation (ZVN) is the national expert authority for nature protection, with extensive experience in biodiversity conservation projects. Its work rests on the premise that nature conservation cannot succeed without genuine dialogue with the people who live and work within it, which is why communication with local communities, farmers, businesses and visitors is central to its approach. ZVN places particular emphasis on collaboration with young people and educational institutions, making youth a primary target group for its awareness activities.
Rudolfovo Science and Technology Centre Novo mesto
Rudolfovo Science and Technology Centre Novo mesto (RNM) provides advanced technological infrastructure and expertise to support the project's activities. Its makerspace includes 3D printers, scanners, VR/AR equipment, IoT sensors and robotics kits used for STEM workshops and demonstrations for all generations. Openness to the wider public is a strategic priority for RNM: the centre connects research with business and industry, hosts school and university internships, and runs youth workshops. It places particular emphasis on reaching vulnerable groups, such as children with special needs and hospital pupils, underlining its commitment to making science genuinely accessible to everyone, through activities including lab tours, workshops, research challenges and "Meet the Scientist & Engineer" sessions addressing fake news, critical thinking and trust in science.
Science and Entertainment Park Celje
Science and Entertainment Park Celje (TPC) is Slovenia's largest science and entertainment park, offering schools more than 60 interactive stations and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) workshops to promote technological literacy and creativity. Co-financed by national sources and the EU (ERDF), it has operated since 2019 and reaches 40,000 visitors a year. TPC sees bridging science and the public as core to its mission: its Science Platform project, led by the STEAM research group, strengthens communication, connects with the international scientific community and promotes scientific literacy. It also organises the annual STEAM Conference for Teachers and Mentors, equipping educators to bring science to young people in more engaging ways.
Regional Centre for Higher Education
The Regional Centre for Higher Education (RŠS) is responsible for developing tertiary education in the Savinja Statistical Region. It supports the establishment of higher-education institutions and study programmes, promotes lifelong learning, and fosters collaboration between academia, industry and local communities, working from the conviction that only close engagement with its surroundings can deliver real, lasting impact. RŠS helps integrate inquiry-based, research-informed teaching into formal education, and as a regional teacher-training hub it provides access to a wide network of educators and institutions, enabling the project to scale its impact.
Museums and Galleries of Ljubljana
Museums and Galleries of Ljubljana (MGL) is Slovenia's largest network of municipal museums and galleries, with a strong record in cultural heritage and creative audience engagement. It organises exhibitions and events that attract broad audiences and integrate culture with science communication, in the belief that art and heritage can bring science closer to people in ways that dry facts alone cannot. Through curriculum-aligned educational programmes, MGL actively involves children and families in fun, hands-on learning.
Mladinska Knjiga Publishing House
Mladinska Knjiga Publishing House (MKZ) is Slovenia's largest publishing house, reaching hundreds of thousands of readers through books and magazines. Its flagship programme, Vesela šola (Happy school), engages 10,000 pupils (grades 4–9) in science and general knowledge every year through interactive content and a national competition, reflecting the publisher's long-standing commitment to making knowledge accessible and appealing to children and young people. MKZ plays a key role in the project through its national network for reaching young audiences, particularly in primary schools, supported by a digital platform for monitoring and evaluating impact. It brings valuable expertise in science communication tailored to children and youth.