Topics you already know from everyday life
Rhythms are all around us. As planet Earth travels through space, it continuously rotates on its axis and completes one orbit around the Sun every year. These two periodic motions generate the two fundamental rhythms of our planet: the alternation of day and night and the succession of the seasons. Over millions of years, life on Earth has adapted to these rhythms. Wherever we look, we observe processes that recur in predictable patterns. Some last only fractions of a second, while others unfold over hours, days or years.
Rhythms shape the functioning of ecosystems. Every spring, forests become green, many plants flower, and in autumn they shed their leaves and enter dormancy. Migratory birds undertake annual journeys between their breeding and wintering grounds, while some animals hibernate during winter. The sea also follows a seasonal rhythm. Its temperature changes throughout the year, affecting marine ecosystems. Under favourable environmental conditions, populations of microscopic algae (phytoplankton) may rapidly increase, resulting in algal blooms. Likewise, many plant diseases exhibit characteristic seasonal dynamics, as their development depends on temperature, humidity and the developmental stage of the host plant.
Life itself follows recurring cycles. A seed germinates into a seedling, develops into a mature plant, flowers and produces new seeds, thus initiating the next cycle. Similarly, young animals develop into adults that reproduce and give rise to a new generation. Human life also progresses through successive developmental stages, from childhood to adulthood and old age, while professional careers likewise evolve through distinct phases.
Rhythms occur not only around us but also within every living organism. They are regulated both by the alternation of day and night and by internal biological clocks. Many plants open their flowers and stomata during daylight and close them at night, while photosynthesis occurs only in the presence of light. Many animal species are primarily diurnal, whereas others are nocturnal. The human body also functions rhythmically: wakefulness alternates with sleep, and breathing continuously cycles between inhalation and exhalation.
Even manufactured objects have life cycles, from production, distribution and use to storage, reuse and disposal. Archaeologists can provide certain objects with a new life cycle by rediscovering, studying and interpreting them. Looking ahead, our daily lives will increasingly be shaped by new rhythms associated with robotics and other intelligent technologies.
The overall objective of RhythmOfLife is to bring these rhythms of life closer to the general public, to increase awareness of the researchers and research behind them, and to demonstrate how research and innovation are intrinsically connected to the everyday rhythms of people’s lives.
The pulse of the project: two key activities
The project is structured around two key activities: Researchers’ Night and Researchers at Schools.
Researchers’ Night will take place on the last Friday of September in both 2026 and 2027, while Researchers at Schools activities will be implemented throughout the entire duration of 2026 and 2027.
Across both activities, the ten project’s partners will engage citizens with the rhythms of animal life, rhythms of plant life, rhythms in ecosystems, Rhythms of the Universe, When the rhythm of life is disrupted, Rhythms of the past for the present, Rhythms of the future, as well as Rhythm of Science and Rhythm of Work & World.
Relevance of the Topics
The topics were chosen because people already recognise them from their own everyday experience, while also being relevant to Slovenian and EU strategies (e.g. the Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy, the fight against cancer, the EU Space Programme).
Where to catch the rhythm
Researchers’ Night activities will take place in Ljubljana, Celje, Novo Mesto, Piran and Koper, as well as in smaller communities including Lovrenc na Pohorju, Ruše, Vitanje, Podsreda and Trenta, ensuring broad geographical coverage and engagement with citizens across Slovenia.
Researchers to schools activities will zake place at different primary schools (marked with red), secondary schools (marked with purple), kindergartens (marked in blue), schools for people with special needs (marked in green), immigration centres (marked in yellow) and summer camps (marked in orange) which researchers will visit.
Besides, different primary schools (marked with red), secondary schools (marked with purple), kindergartens (marked in blue) and schools for people with special needs (marked in green) will attend activities at research institutions: at NIB in Ljubljana and Piran, and at LabTOP in Novo mesto.
Science for everyone
We believe science matters for everyone, and that it must be accessible to all. That's why we will pay special attention to involving groups who usually take part less often – seniors, people from disadvantaged backgrounds, people with special needs, and migrants.