The Little House of Experiments has started its journey around Slovenia in Lendava

The House of Experiments is a science centre which aims to inspire visitors to learn, explore, to provoke curiosity, ask questions and search for answers. It normally resides in Ljubljana where it is visited by individuals and groups from all over Slovenia. »The House of experiments granted the wish of children across Slovenia to visit them in their hometowns, so we created a mobile House of Experiments – The Little House of Experiments, which was made possible by global sponsors Lek, a Sandoz company, and Telekom Slovenia d.d.,« explained Miha Kos, director of the House of Experiments.

The Little House of Experiments’ visit to Lendava was also welcomed by Anton Balažek, the mayor of Lendava: »It is important that young people are creative and start learning about the importance of innovation at an early age. The House of Experiments certainly contributes to this, and I welcome today’s event.«

Lek, a Sandoz company, has been supporting the operation of the House of Experiments for many years. They participated as sponsors of the »Have you already eaten spinach today« experiment, and later became a sponsor of the Beat Diabetes by Biking project– raising awareness about diabetes among the youth. It is also a major sponsor of the House of Experiments. Telekom Slovenia d.d. is a longterm major sponsor of the House of Experiments and the sponsor of scientific adventures in the House of Experiments.

Upon opening The Little House of Experiments, Gizela Štampar, Head of Production Lendava site at Lek, a Sandoz company, said: »Knowledge and development, research and experiment – these are all things that are inextricably connected to our work. In our research and development laboratories across Slovenia we have more than 600 associates who search daily for answers to many health issues. Therefore, the cooperation with the House of Experiments is very close to our hearts. The way how to provoke young minds into thinking is unique and a visit to the House of Experiments for children is always an exceptional experience. However, as not all schools have an opportunity to take children to Ljubljana, we are very pleased that a mobile Little House of Experiments has been designed in order to bring knowledge closer to children across Slovenia. And we are especially pleased that our Lendava was the first town to host them.«

When a school becomes a science centre

The Little House of Experiments is a new activity of the House of Experiments through which the experience from the House of Experiments will become mobile. The Little House will visit primary schools across Slovenia and turn them into science and research centres for a day. During the visit the Little House “occupies” two classrooms in which the experiments are set up and the students are then invited for a free visit and experimentation session. On the same day, the school will also organize two science shows – “adventures”. For students, this will be a day of stress-free science, experimenting and education.

Tatjana Sabo, Headmistress of the Lendava I Bilingual Primary School was delighted that their school was the first to receive a visit by the Little House of Experiments: »We are very pleased that our school will become, through the House of Experiments, a science and research centre transforming it into a big experiment for a day. For children it is important that they have an opportunity to link theory with practice, to get experience, to be active participants on the path to knowledge. This is a unique opportunity to acquire knowledge through fun and games. This experience is nicely described in the House of Experiments’ anthem: ‘I quickly forget what I have read; what I see stays longer in my memory; and when I visit our House, what I do, I know forever.’ Thank you for the experience that will remain in our memory forever.«

»We want to bring science closer to everyone, therefore we decided to make our visit for the children and the school free of charge. In addition to global sponsors we also invited local sponsors and local municipalities to participate and in this way actively influence the education and scientific research in their towns,« stressed Miha Kos.