More Than Just Microscopes: The Department of Botany and Zoology at the Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Hosted the Elite of Young Biologists from the South Moravian Region

The Biology Olympiad (BiO) is one of the oldest and most prestigious knowledge competitions in our country. The 60th anniversary edition (2025/2026) is currently underway, with a focus on biodiversity.

What was at stake in the labs?

The contestants had to tackle three challenging tasks:

1. Theoretical test: Forget “yes/no” questions. The students solved complex problems that would give even many bachelor’s students a run for their money.
2. Organism identification: Identifying plants, animals, and fungi is a fundamental yet crucial skill for every biologist. This is where we see who really knows their stuff.
3. Laboratory practice: The highlight of the day. Precise specimen preparation, microscopy, and biological-chemical analyses test the contestants’ various skills.

“The Biology Olympiad is no longer just about identifying plants and animals. It’s about the ability to integrate knowledge from molecular biology, genetics, ecology, physiology, and other fields into a single functional whole,” explains Irena Axmanová, organizer of the regional round for the Faculty of Science at Masaryk University. “When I see the passion and precision with which students work in the labs, I know we don’t have to worry about the future of Czech science. That’s precisely why we offer the most successful students admission without entrance exams—we want to capture these talents as early as possible.”

Why is the Olympiad a win-win for both sides?

On behalf of the Faculty: We are honored to offer our facilities, equipment, and staff to this prestigious competition. Hosting the Olympiad is also a wonderful opportunity for us to discover and engage with future scientific stars. Our doors are wide open to successful participants in the regional and national rounds. We know that they excel not only in knowledge but also in the ability to work systematically, which is crucial for science.

For students: Experiences they won’t get in the classroom. In addition to a prestigious line on their CV and prizes, participants also gain something more lasting:

• Networking: They’ll meet enthusiasts with the same passion. Many friendships formed at the Olympiads lead to joint research a few years later.
• Professional equipment: They’ll get to work with materials and technology that aren’t available at a typical high school.
• A ticket to Běstvina: The best students can qualify for the legendary summer research camp in Běstvina, which is considered the absolute highlight of the year in the biology community.

This year’s anniversary edition, focused on biodiversity, reminded us that understanding nature is not just a hobby, but a necessity. We congratulate not only the winners, but also all participants, and we look forward to seeing many of them soon in our classrooms as students of our faculty!

Winners:

1. Nela Bartoníčková, M. Lerch High School, Brno,
2. Veronika Jandlová, Bučovice High School and Business Academy,
3. Magdaléna Perůtková, Brno Bystrc High School

Award from the Director of the Department of Botany and Zoology: Vít Zapletal – Bzenec High School of Gastronomy, Hospitality, and Forestry

Photo: Soňa Hroudová