For decades, Mikro+Polo has been striving to create a better world, with education serving as one of the key pillars of our corporate social responsibility. We not only follow trends but actively set them. We believe that by fostering curiosity and creativity in young people, we can contribute to the long-term improvement of society. Our responsibility is especially reflected in scientific projects that help younger generations discover the wonders of science and research.
Chemistry is Cool: Encouraging Young Researchers
Our educational project, Chemistry is Cool, remained at the forefront of our commitment to social responsibility during this school year. Under the watchful eye of a professional committee, we once again organized our traditional competition, where elementary school students learn about chemistry through hands-on experiments.
This year, we received eight outstanding entries, with students producing videos of their chemistry experiments that surpassed all previous submissions. The excellent video content can be viewed on our YouTube channel in the Chemistry is Cool 2024 section: here.
The task for the judges was exceptionally challenging, with tight competition. Mikro+Polo’s expert jury carefully reviewed all submitted videos and rated them. After adding the points from the Facebook voting, the jury announced the winners in the following order: First place – “The Sale of Dangerous Chemicals,” 9th grade, OŠ Prežihovega Voranca, Ravne na Koroškem. Second place – “Snowy California Snowball,” 9th grade, OŠ Heroja Janeza Hribarja, Stari Trg pri Ložu. Third place – “The Evolution of Smurfette,” 9th grade, OŠ Pohorskega Odreda, Slovenska Bistrica.
The winners from Ravne na Koroškem received an exciting prize that we believe not only rewards their efforts but also motivates them to continue their research. We are proud that the winning class is already eager to enjoy their prize with a celebratory splash at the Aqualuna pools.
Periodic Tables for Future Generations
This year, we also continued one of our longest-standing traditions—distributing more than 20,000 periodic tables to Slovenian schools. This important project, which has been ongoing for over a decade, contributes to the improvement of science education by providing young students with essential learning tools for chemistry. This year, we hit a significant milestone, having distributed over 200,000 periodic tables to date, continuing to inspire curiosity and a love for science in young minds.
As a fun fact: some of the candidates applying for jobs with us today were once students who received our periodic table. One of our current employees told us that receiving this gift made him realize that our company offered something more, leaving a lasting impression. This confirms our long-term impact on future generations, not only in science but also in the world of employment.
Fun and Learning with Science Days
The Science Days we organize annually for elementary school students are more than just an opportunity for fun and learning—they are a key platform for encouraging scientific curiosity. Through practical experiments, young students discover the magic of chemistry and develop the creative thinking necessary for their future development. Each year, we ensure that Science Days are enhanced with new, innovative experiments that transform theory into inspiring practice.
In the 2023/2024 school year, we successfully organized five Science Days, offering more than 150 elementary students the opportunity to get a closer look at the company with the most chemistry. This provided them with a hands-on insight into what can sometimes seem like abstract theory, creating exciting experiences that will fuel their curiosity long after the event.
Promoter of Science: Inspiring Young Researchers
The Promoter of Science project is not just about providing material support but about giving a true boost to young researchers. Each year, we receive more and more applications, which delights us, though it certainly makes our jury’s task harder—we wish we could help every aspiring researcher! Despite our soft spot for all of them, the rules remain firm. After reviewing all the entries, we selected three Promoters of Science who truly impressed us. Their expertise and enthusiasm raised the bar for all future generations.
One of this year’s Promoters shared that the lab equipment he received really made his work easier. It wasn’t just about the lab coat and safety shoes (although those were particularly comfortable!), but the entire experience—from the chemicals to the friendly support from our team. “Collaborating with the Mikro+Polo team was an absolute delight,” he said. “Professional, friendly, and always up for a laugh—it was truly unforgettable!”
At Mikro+Polo, we believe that our projects not only encourage knowledge and innovation but also create an environment where every young talent can shine. After all—who wouldn’t want to work in a lab with a smile on their face?
