The first of the four ‘University Laboratory Days’ was held at the University of Dubrovnik. These days are organised in cooperation of the University with the Dubrovnik Private Secondary School. The third and fourth grade pupils participated in laboratory practicals. Within their regular teaching programme, they did practicals in cytology by performing microscopic examination of plant and animal cells as well as practicals in genetics, where they familiarised themselves with the human karyotype and karyogram. The first grade pupils got familiarised with the inter-disciplinary project ProtectAS, funded by the European Regional Development Fund and carried out by the scientists from the University’s Department of Applied Ecology. The aim of this project is to manage ballast waters and preserve the marine ecosystems in our ports.

The University Laboratory Day is a science popularisation project for secondary school pupils, carried at our University since the academic year 2016/2017. It is based on practicals for pupils of all four grades of the Dubrovnik Private Secondary School (DPG). These practicals are done in the chemical and biological laboratory during four days, two in the first and two in the second term/semester, as aligned with the respective curriculums. The lectures and practicals were held by Associate Professor Marijana Pećarević, PhD, Assistant Professor Nermin Hasanspahić, PhD, Assistant Professor Josip Mikuš, PhD and Karlo Maškarić, mag. oecol. et prot. nat.