The Researchers’ Night in the European City of Science is behind us
More than five hundred activities, seven hundred scientists and eight campuses - this is how the Researchers’ Night in the European Science City Katowice 2024 can be summed up in numbers. This year’s edition of the event, organized every year by the Silesian University of Technology, was joined by six Silesian universities, associated in the Academic Consortium Katowice – City of Science.
During the event, Silesian universities opened their laboratories, lecture halls and invited the inhabitants of the region to take part in workshops, demonstrations, lectures, exhibitions, and many other popular science activities, which brought closer the activities of scientists, PhD students and students.
“Researchers’ Night” is a celebration of science and our scientists and employees, who invited children, young people, parents, grandparents, and everyone who wanted to see how we work and what we do. This year, we also managed to invite universities from the Consortium of the European City of Science, which, encouraged by our success in previous years, joined this holiday – said the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Marek Pawełczyk.
Researchers’ Night is an event that shows that science can be interesting. It is also an opportunity to encourage secondary school pupils to study at the Silesian University of Technology.
“I think that such events are extremely attractive especially for young people who have been very closed in their homes in recent years. Here young people could come, meet new colleagues, students, scientists. See what is happening at the University, how science develops and see that studying is not only about books, but also interesting tasks, projects and meeting new people. I think that in this way we will encourage them to come to our University – said the Vice-Rector for General Affairs, Prof. Bożena Skołud.
As this year’s Researchers’ Night took place not only at the Silesian University of Technology, but also at other Silesian universities, visitors were able to choose activities from almost every field of science.
This year the Researchers’ Night took place not only in Gliwice, Katowice, Zabrze, and Rybnik, but also in Bytom, Sosnowiec, Chorzów and Cieszyn. Thanks to the fact that other universities joined the event, we had more substantive opportunities. We showed a much broader science, from medicine to physical culture or art. We presented the full power of Silesian science – emphasized Prof. Aleksandra Ziembińska-Buczyńska, – director of the Science Popularization Centre of the Silesian University of Technology.
Among the visitors at the university campuses, as every year, classes in laboratories enjoyed great popularity. One of them was a workshop for children "Little detectives on the trail", which was held at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.
- At today's presentation we combined two scientific disciplines - the world of technical, scientific, medical, and natural sciences. We have shown that what differences between people can be used in forensics. Children learned what dactyloscopy is and during the practical part, they made a fingerprint using plaster mass – explained Dr Marcin Tomsia from the Medical University of Silesia, who conducted classes together with scientists of our University.
- At the Silesian University of Technology we are regular visitors, we take part again in the Researchers’ Night- said Konrad Polys, the father of Nina, who participated in the workshops. – I think that such initiatives are very necessary, because they help to instil passion for children and show that science can be interesting and has an impact on our lives – emphasizes Mr. Konrad.
- I really like that the scientists conducting these classes are phenomenally prepared and show that in science everyone can find their place, that science is also for girls. So, for me, as a mother of a daughter, it is very important – adds Marzena Halama, Nina’s mother.
During the Researchers’ Night there were not only demonstrations, lectures, and workshops, but also competitions for children, youth, and adults, both in individual and team-based format. During the competitions, the Science Popularization Centre received 350 applications on topics related to science and challenges of the 21st century.
These were great works of art and photos, engaging interviews, great and substantive infographics. The jury selected the best works of the competition, and the winners were awarded during the inauguration of the Researchers’ Night.
The winners of one of the competitions were Igor Świszcz and Filip Mike, seventh graders from Gliwice, who prepared an infographic “Stop fake news!” Our infographic helps to distinguish fake news from verified information. It also tells you how to avoid it and how not to fall victim to such unproven information. These days it is very important, because on the Internet you can read a lot of nonsense and each of us can get fooled by it – say the winners.
The events of the Researchers’ Night in the European City of Science - Katowice 2024 lasted until late in the evening. The campuses of Silesian universities were visited by hundreds of people interested in learning and what universities in our region offer. This year, the following universities event opened their doors to the public: Silesian University of Technology, University of Economics in Katowice, University of Silesia, Medical University of Silesia, Academy of Physical Education named after J. Kukuczka in Katowice, K. Szymanowski Academy of Music in Katowice.
