On 3 September 2026, Class 5.b of Premontrei Szent Norbert Gimnázium visited the Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety at the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE), where the students had the opportunity to discover the fascinating world of aquatic life and microbiology.

During the visit, the group first attended a 15–20-minute educational presentation introducing the basics of environmental microbiology, hygiene and ecotoxicology. The students then visited the Institute’s laboratories, where they gained an insight into microbiological research and learned how microorganisms can be used to support environmental protection.

The visit continued in the algae–Daphnia laboratory, where the students became familiar with microscopic organisms living in surface waters. The laboratory tour concluded in the Institute’s zebrafish ecotoxicology laboratory, the largest facility of its kind in Central Europe. Here, the students gained an insight into the role of toxicological testing laboratories and learned about the importance of fish as aquatic vertebrate model organisms in scientific research.

The programme continued with an interactive session, during which the students had the opportunity to use microscopes, examine bacterial cultures, and participate in educational games related to aquaculture and environmental protection.

The programme was supported by the BioTreatED project.