This paper presents a case study of a pilot educational project carried out in cooperation between the University of Žilina and selected secondary schools. The main aim of the project was to develop students' digital skills, increase their motivation for learning, and provide them with a first-hand experience of university-style education. At the same time, the project served as a model for integrating a range of innovative teaching strategies focused on active learning, collaboration, and practical application of knowledge. At the core of the initiative was the project Readiness for the Digital Workforce, in which secondary school students participated as active co-creators - designing research questions, contributing to the questionnaire, and collecting and analysing data. The educational process combined multiple learner-centered methods, including brainstorming, structured group discussions, problem-solving tasks, group work, heuristic conversation, and the Jigsaw method. These methods were purposefully integrated to help students connect theoretical knowledge with real-world issues, collaborate effectively, develop independent thinking, and reflect critically on their learning. An important added value of the project was the opportunity for students to engage with university teaching in a supportive environment. They worked with academic mentors, experienced elements of research-based learning, and applied their digital and analytical skills to solve practical problems. The project helped reduce anxiety about higher education and increased students' motivation to continue learning. The results suggest that the deliberate combination of active learning strategies within an institutional partnership can significantly enrich the learning process. The case study confirms that connecting secondary and higher education can create meaningful educational experiences and effectively support students’ readiness for academic and professional challenges.

Keywords: Innovative teaching, active learning, educational collaboration, secondary education, digital skills, student motivation, case study.