The Research Institute of the University of Bucharest (ICUB), through the ArchaeoSciences Platform, and the “Gheorghe Lazăr” National College from Bucharest continue the series of educational activities initiated in 2024, which include the Summer Schools “From Robotics to Archaeology” at the Sultana-Malul Roșu archaeological site (Călărași County), the participation in the TITANS Academy programme, as well as interactive presentations delivered for the college’s students.
Hence, on Wedenesday, April 1, 2026, took place an interesting meeting between archaeology and natural sciences, during which sixth graders from the “Gheorghe Lazăr” National College learned the secrets of stable isotopes from the ArchaeoSciences Platform – ICUB researchers.
The presentation was delivered by Sebastian-Valeriu Dumitrescu, research assistant (ASp-ICUB) and PhD candidate of the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School of the University of Bucharest, together with Noria Petrache, research assistant specialized in palaeoenvironmental investigation through stable isotope analysis and PhD candidate at the Faculty of History of UB.
The session offered students an introduction to modern archaeology, explaining why science is essential for understanding the past: from radiocarbon dating and electron microscopy to digital archaeology, geophysics, and drone use. The new element of the event was dedicated to stable isotopes – a chemical “fingerprint” of the environment that allows archaeologists to reconstruct diet, mobility, and even the climate of prehistoric times.
“Every time I have the opportunity to speak in front of students, regardless of their grade, I am amazed by their interest and tenacity in understanding and learning more about the world around them. Such activities are essential for developing critical thinking and for introducing future specialists – and, hopefully, researchers – to the digital, interdisciplinary universe of today’s experimental and humanistic sciences,” stated Sebastian Dumitrescu.
The event reaffirms the openness of the “Gheorghe Lazăr” National College towards interdisciplinary collaborations and the students’ constant interest in fields such as archaeometry, ecology, and Earth sciences. The dialogue with the young students also opened perspectives for future educational activities, including within the “Alternative School” (Școala Altfel) programme.
Through such initiatives, ICUB and the ArchaeoSciences Platform aspire to build bridges between university research and pre-university education, demonstrating that science can be both rigorous and engaging for the new generations.
