Science for Society

What do astronauts eat in space, and what fuels climbers during extreme expeditions? What is freeze-drying, and can food really be preserved for decades? Our scientists explored these questions – and more – at the 28th edition of the Science Picnic “What a Cosmos!”, which took place on May 10 at Warsaw’s PGE Narodowy stadium.

The event, organized by Polish Radio and the Copernicus Science Centre, attracted crowds of science enthusiasts of all ages. This year’s theme was space, and visitors had the opportunity to experience 690 science shows prepared by 152 institutions from Poland and abroad.

Our stand was located in the Health Zone and featured two fascinating topics:

The Microcosm of Our Diet – Visitors discovered the hidden world of bacteria and yeast that help create bread, yogurt, and fermented foods. The demonstration revealed the secrets of fermentation and taught participants how to make healthy, homemade preserves.

Space Food – Here, guests could see what astronauts, mountaineers, and soldiers eat. We explained what freeze-drying is, how it allows food to be preserved for decades, and which freeze-dried products we use in everyday life.

Thank you to everyone who visited us. See you at the next science events!

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On March 21, 2025, the Nature Picnic took place at the Social School in Mikołajki, attracting many science and nature enthusiasts. Employees of our Institute also participated in the event.

„How Does Acid Rain Form?” was the title of the workshop conducted by the Biodiversity Protection Team members: Anna Kononiuk, Katarzyna Boronska, and Anna Korzekwa. During the session, participants had the opportunity to learn how acid rain is formed and what environmental consequences it can cause.

A key part of the workshop was an experiment simulating the process of acid rain formation. Various materials—pellets, firewood, and hard coal—were burned in sealed glass containers filled with water. This process imitated the emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere, such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide. Participants then measured the pH of the resulting mixture using litmus paper and a natural indicator—red cabbage extract. The results were analyzed together with the instructors, helping attendees better understand the issue of environmental acidification.

The workshop concluded with a quiz, where the most engaged participants received awards.

Around 180 people took part in the event, including students from Mikołajki and nearby schools.

The Nature Picnic also provided an opportunity to explore other educational stands. Workshops were presented by representatives of the Masurian Landscape Park, State Forests, the University of Warsaw Research Station in Urwitałt, agritourism farms, and the Forestry School Complex in Ruciane-Nida.

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The Biodiversity Protection Team hosted children from a kindergarten in Ruciane-Nida in October. Katarzyna Borońska, Anna Kononiuk and Anna Korzekwa prepared activities through which children learned about the research and other activities of the IARFR PAS research station in Popielno, including initiatives aimed at protecting the environment. The youngest visited the station’s animal pens with the scientists, where they could see cows, mules, sheep and other interesting animals. Another stop was a visit to the museum, located in a historic granary from the mid-18th century. The preschoolers also participated in experiments and could see what a scientist’s work looks like in the laboratory.

We would like to thank the preschoolers and educators for their visit and interest in the Institute’s activities, and the Biodiversity Protection Team staff for organising the visit for our youngest visitors.

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Dr Radosław Kowalski from the Gamete and Embryo Biology Team of our Institute gave a guest lecture at the inaugural meeting of the Olsztyn Academy of Children (OAD), which is run by the Planetarium in Olsztyn. This time the students were introduced to water, and more specifically to its superpowers as the source of life and health for all living organisms.

A scientist intrigued the youngest students with a lecture about humans and oceans. What do we have in common, why are humans aquatic mammals and why can we say that every human being is a living drop in the ocean? – asked Dr Radosław Kowalski during the inauguration of the OAD.

More information about the Olsztyn Children’s Academy can be found on the Planetarium website.

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Is career planning a linear process? Can you think of an astonishing career that has been precisely scheduled before it even begun? In 99,9% of the time this is not the case. People say that change is the only constant, so why don’t get better at it?

Those kind of questions were flying around Career Days with Food Educators that took place in our Institute. Between December 5 and 7, three groups of high school students from Olsztyn (Uniwersyteckie XII Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Marii i Georga Dietrichów, IV Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Marii Skłodowskiej-Curie w Olsztynie, Gastronomik Olsztyn) in total number of 66 had a chance to learn and experience what scientific career can look like.

– Apart from visiting laboratories of Nutrigenomics (wet lab and bioinformatics), and those related to the Aquaculture (IAR&FR PAS, the Stanisław Sakowicz Inland Fisheries Institute in Olsztyn), students had a chance to talk with the scientists from all over the globe and witness their passion for research. It was a great opportunity to show that it’s more than possible to have a successful and fulfilling international career in Olsztyn – says Maciej Cieślik, Institute’s HR Business Partner and coordinator of Career Days with Food Educators.

But the most important takeaway was that it’s OK not to know what you want to do for the rest of your life, especially when you are young, as long as you are willing to try new things, new paths, and set your mind positively. First step of a successful career is to get to know yourself better, identify your strengths and build on them. It’s never too late to make a change in your career path when the final goal is your happiness. The Career Days, organised by the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, were held within the framework of Food Educators, a programme of the EIT Food, which spreads knowledge about food safety, healthy eating habits, responsible consumer choices, not wasting food and careers in the agri-food sector. Learn more: foodeducators.eu.

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The use of yeast in the food industry, learning about and testing methods for examining milk, counting bacteria, preparing microscope slides – the laboratories of the Division of Food Science of the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences opened their doors to secondary school students from Olsztyn.

How do you get young people interested in food to help them shape informed consumer attitudes, develop critical thinking, and present exciting career opportunities in the agri-food sector that will lead to an active transformation of the food system in the future? Preferably from the practical side, as secondary school students found out during the Microbiology workshops with Food Educators.

The meeting started with an introduction to microbiology and the yeast 'strongmen’. Marzena Lenkiewicz from the Microbiology Laboratory of the IAR&FR PAS talked about these remarkable microorganisms and their use in the food industry. After the theoretical part, students continued in the laboratories, where they learnt about food safety and milk testing methods, conducted tests on their own, prepared microscope slides and counted bacteria.

– We are happy to show young people the world of science. Perhaps they will choose a career in science (…) Thank you very much for the opportunity to show the whole institute and for the workshop – concludes Ewa Stanisławska-Lepko, a teacher from the Wisława Szymborska Group of Catering and Food Schools in Olsztyn.

Food Educators is a programme of the European Knowledge and Education Community for Food (EIT Food), which creates and disseminates the materials essential to teach young people about healthy and sustainable eating habits. It enables the youngest consumers to make choices that are good for both them and the environment. Food Educators is also about promoting interesting career paths throughout the food supply chain and encouraging adepts to enter the agri-food sector. Join the international network at www.foodeducators.eu

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Spaghetti bolognese, burgers, scrambled eggs, smoothies – these are dishes that are quite popular in a teenager’s diet. Is it possible to prepare them in such a way that they are delicious, easy to prepare, healthy and 100% plant-based? The Institute’s experts in the EIT Food 'Food Educators’ project have shown that it is!

Meatless Monday is a worldwide campaign encouraging consumers to reduce their meat consumption – for their own health and for care of the planet. The name of the campaign suggests that the challenge to reduce meat and zoonotic products should start by eliminating meat from our diet for at least one day a week.

While information campaigns outline the topic, a more effective method of supporting a change in consumer habits, especially for young people, is practical action. The Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, as part of the 'Food Educators’ project, organised a cooking workshop for secondary school students from Olsztyn.

During the event, students learnt about the idea of Meatless Monday, explored conscious consumer attitudes with experts, including dealing with food labels and food packaging, and then stepped into the workshop kitchen, where they learnt about plant-based alternatives to their favourite dishes under the guidance of a chef. The event culminated with a shared meal and space to share their experiences.

– Meatless Monday is a great action that can be successfully incorporated into school canteens. Importantly, the students respond to the idea very enthusiastically! – the organisers conclude.

Food Educators is a programme of the European Knowledge and Education Community for Food (EIT Food), which creates and disseminates the materials essential to teach young people about healthy and sustainable eating habits. It enables the youngest consumers to make choices that are good for both them and the environment. Food Educators is also about promoting interesting career paths throughout the food supply chain and encouraging adepts to enter the agri-food sector. Join the international network at www.foodeducators.eu

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