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Some are captivated by genetic engineering, others by artificial intelligence, climate change, or the mysteries of space. Yet all of these young people share one thing: a love of science that took root in primary or secondary school and now drives them to inspire others. The last friday of November, twelve high school students from across the Czech Republic will present popular science lectures to 350 of their peers at the University of West Bohemia’s Faculty of Applied Sciences during the event Consider Science!. The organizers hope to show the public that the Czech Republic is on track to become a hub of cutting-edge research and innovation—and that a new generation of researchers is already gearing up to lead the way.

One such emerging talent is Daniel Pojhan. A graduate of Mikulášské Gymnázium in Plzeň, he combined his interest in computers and programming with a fascination for aviation, developing an air traffic control simulator where so-called pseudo-pilots are replaced with AI counterparts. His project has already earned him a spot at the world’s largest high school science fair, where he will represent the Czech Republic next year. If implemented more widely, his idea could streamline air traffic control training and enhance aviation safety.

For Tereza Jelínková, a student at Gymnázium Prachatice, climate change is the focus. During an internship at the Czech Academy of Sciences’ Open Science program, she explored how carbon from the atmosphere can be stabilized in soil, studying how different grass mixtures affect this process. Insights from her research could one day support more sustainable land management and more effective climate protection strategies.

Pavel Jan Linka, a recent high school graduate, operates at the intersection of biology and chemistry. Shortly after high school, he joined the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, where he studies antibiotic resistance, a critical challenge in modern medicine. His research could one day contribute to solutions for this global problem.

“In the Czech Republic today, we have a growing number of young students who, even at an early age, are making waves with original technological ideas and independent research, gaining recognition on national and international levels. Their stories are at the heart of this initiative, which is run by high school students themselves,” said Jan Herzig, director of Consider Science!. 

Since 2023, Consider Science! has organized major events in Pilsen, Brno, and Prague, attracting over 1,000 students. The most recent took place in June in the Czech Senate. Now the initiative returns to Plzeň for its third full-day showcase. Through online streaming and recordings, anyone will be able to explore the remarkable stories of today’s science and the curiosity of its youngest explorers.