Monday, 24 November 2025 Preparations for the Biology Competition Took Place at UP FAMNIT This Saturday

On Saturday, November 22, a workshop on pollinators was held at the Livade 1.0 facility in Izola. The event was attended by 52 students and 10 teachers from various secondary schools in their 1st and 2nd years. It was organised by the Department of Biodiversity at UP FAMNIT in preparation for the Biology Competition (ZOTKS) and the Ekokviz competition for secondary schools within the ECO-SCHOOL program.

Pollinators play a crucial role in ecosystems, so the workshop aimed to help young people understand their diversity and their importance in nature. Although the word “pollinator ” most commonly brings to mind the honeybee, many other groups of animals are also pollinators – wild bees, bumblebees, butterflies, flies, beetles, birds, and even bats.

Throughout a series of expert lectures, participants deepened their knowledge in the fields of plant biology, entomology, ecology and evolution. They learned about the structure and function of flowers, plant reproduction, pollination and fertilisation, as well as insect anatomy. The programme continued with content on wild pollinators, the honeybee, cultural heritage and bee diseases, followed by a practical laboratory session.

The students gained valuable knowledge that they can apply in upcoming competitions, and—more importantly—further strengthened their understanding of the natural sciences and the crucial role of pollinators in preserving biodiversity.