Animals Up Close: A Science Lecture with Zoologist Juraj Čačaný

Upper primary had a truly unforgettable experience when we went to the local library for a special science lecture led by zoologist Juraj Čačaný. He introduced the children to the world of animals, their behaviour, and many fascinating facts from nature. The students listened with excitement — and it wasn’t just theory.

During the lecture, the children had the chance to see and gently touch real animals. The biggest highlight was a hedgehog, and many students also overcame their initial fear of the snake, discovering that it isn’t cold or slimy at all, but surprisingly smooth and calm.

We later used this experience during our Slovak language lesson. The students named the animals, described their appearance, created short stories, and practised using adjectives through their own impressions. Because they had seen the animals in real life, working with language became more meaningful and enjoyable.

It was a day full of discovery and courage. And this is exactly the kind of learning we love — when cross-curricular learning happens and subjects naturally connect with real experiences.