The science of Rhythms in our lives

Duration: April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2028

Project title (English): The Science of Rhythms in Our Lives

Project title (Slovenian): Znanost o ritmih v našem življenju

Project acronym: RhythmOfLife

Project coordinator: National Institute of Biology

Project partners: Slovenian Museum of Natural History, Ljubljana Zoo, Kozjanski Park, Nature Conservation Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, Rudolfovo – Novo Mesto Science and Technology Center, Celje Techno Park, Public Institution for the Promotion of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Public Institution Regional Higher Education Center, Museum and Galleries of the City of Ljubljana, Mladinska knjiga Publishing House, d. d.

Project Type: HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions

European Researchers' Night and Researchers at Schools 2026-2027

HORIZON-MSCA-2025-CITIZENS-01-01

Total Project Value: 350.000 EUR

Project value for Rudolfovo: 15.000 EUR

Project leader at Rudolfovo: doc. dr. Jelena Topić Božič (jelena.topic.bozic@rudolfovo.eu)

Brief project description:

The RhythmOfLife project is carried out under the European Researchers’ Night and Researchers at Schools initiative (MSCA and Citizens). It connects researchers with the wider public across Slovenia and brings science closer to people by exploring rhythms in nature and human life. Through interactive experiments, strategy games, immersive experiences and science performances, the project presents scientific knowledge to different target groups in an engaging and accessible way.

A special focus of the project is on connecting researchers with the wider public, including families, children, primary and secondary school pupils, teachers, students and adults. At the same time, the project actively involves groups with limited access to science, such as older people, socially vulnerable children, persons with disabilities and migrants.

RhythmOfLife uses everyday phenomena, such as the seasons, lunar cycles, biological rhythms and natural processes, to explain scientific principles and demonstrate the impact of science on health, the environment and society.

In 2026 and 2027, the project will organise European Researchers’ Night events and Researchers at Schools activities across Slovenia, including outside the largest cities, thereby ensuring broad regional inclusion. The project aims to reach up to 900,000 people through an awareness-raising campaign and attract at least 25,000 visitors to European Researchers’ Night events. Activities in kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools will directly involve more than 6,000 children and young people.

Inclusion and accessibility are core values of the project. Activities will be adapted to the needs of different groups in cooperation with experts and researchers, while the research teams will promote diversity and equal opportunities for participation.

The RhythmOfLife project promotes scientific literacy, strengthens trust in science and increases young people’s interest in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), while also bringing the importance of EU funding for research and innovation closer to the public.