Science at your fingertips. The 21st Researchers' Night of the Silesian University of Technology is behind us
Over 270 activities – workshops, presentations, experiments, and meetings with researchers – this is what the 21st Researchers' Night of the Silesian University of Technology looked like. On Saturday, October 10th, the University opened its laboratories to the inhabitants of our region. This year’s edition was held under the slogan “Science at your fingertips,” and its program showed that getting to know the world of science can be a fascinating adventure for people of all ages.
The event, as every year, attracted crowds of visitors, who could see that science is not only fascinating, but also easily available. Employees, PhD students, and students of the Silesian University of Technology prepared numerous proposals that allowed the participants to observe scientific phenomena, as well as experiment and discover the secrets of science on their own. As emphasized by the Rector of the Silesian University of Technology, Prof. Marek Pawełczyk, the organization of the Researchers’ Night was possible due to a huge commitment of the entire academic community.
- As every year, the event is well organized. I would like to thank all those who contributed to its preparation – employees, PhD students, students and, above all, the team of the Science Popularization Centre. It is a huge undertaking and a great mobilization, but also a response to great interest of the community. There is no shortage of visitors, there are also exhibitors, workshops, and new attractions - there is really something to do here - emphasized the Rector.
The Researchers’ Night is not only an opportunity for the University to present its scientific potential.
The university is not only science and laboratories, but also a space for various passions, talents, and artistic activities. Our scientists have many interests, they engage in artistic or sports activities, achieving significant successes. This event is an excellent opportunity to show this side of our community - said the Rector.
Prof. Marek Pawełczyk also drew attention to the importance of the event for the youngest who are just getting to know their interests and perhaps in the future they will decide to study at the University. - It is also an investment for the future - he said, stressing that the Researchers’ Night allows children and their parents to get to know the Silesian University of Technology up close.
The Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Education Prof. Anna Chrobok talked about the growing interest in the event.
- Both young children and seniors come to the Silesian University of Technology. This is an opportunity to see how modern science develops and what researchers do. Participants can learn about research in the field of engineering and modern technologies, visit laboratories, and take part in workshops - said the Vice-Rector.
The scale of this year’s edition was discussed by the Director of the Science Popularization Centre, Dr Hab. Eng. Sandra Grabowska, Prof SUT. As she noted, the Researchers’ Night is growing year by year, and the organizers are constantly expanding their offer.
- This year we prepared 270 activities, in which more than 1200 people were involved - she said.
Prof. Grabowska pointed out that the event has several goals: - popularizing knowledge, encouraging study and presenting what is happening in university laboratories.
- As a technical university, we create a lot of solutions that serve the society and we want to boast about it - she said.
As emphasized by the Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Prof. Marek Gzik, who was present at the inauguration of the Researchers’ Night, the event is also an opportunity to arouse curiosity of the world and inspire subsequent generations to discover science.
- This is a real investment in the young generation, - he said.
In turn, the President of Gliwice Katarzyna Kuczyńska-Budka spoke about the importance of science for the development of the city and society, drawing attention to the close cooperation of the local government with the Silesian University of Technology and the role of joint initiatives in building the future of the region.
- Without science, the world does not move forward. It is thanks to people who develop knowledge, conduct research, and encourage younger generations to explore the world that we can grow. I am glad that so many people value science, are open to new experiences and want to explore the unknown. Gliwice is also becoming a space for modern solutions and new technologies, and cooperation with the Silesian University of Technology allows us to implement ambitious plans. It is an important partner with whom we are building the future and identity of our city together - emphasized the President of Gliwice.
Researchers’ Night took place at all the campuses of the Silesian University of Technology: in Gliwice, Katowice, Zabrze, and Rybnik. The laboratories, simulators – railway and flight, racing cars, presentations, and experiments and even music concerts were waiting for participants.
One of the proposals was a scientific date, or speed dating with researchers. Prof. Aleksandra Ziembińska-Buczyńska, Vice-President of the Council for the Promotion of the Public Understanding of Science of the Polish Academy of Sciences, explained that this formula enabled participants to talk directly with scientists dealing with various issues.
- The main thing here is to enable our guests to have short, fast, intensive meetings with scientists who carry out very interesting research on various topics - she said.
Three thematic blocks were prepared: environment, energy, and biomedical sciences. Participants could sit with scientists over coffee and cake, ask questions, and learn more about the research.
Professor Aleksandra Ziembińska-Buczyńska, who for nine years headed the Science Popularization Centre and co-organized the Researchers’ Nights, also drew attention to the importance of opening the Silesian University of Technology to the public and bringing science closer to a wide audience.
- Opening the doors of the university is extremely important because the research conducted here serves people and is often also created thanks to their commitment. Civic education is a trend that is gradually gaining popularity in Poland and involves more and more people in the common discovery and development of knowledge. The Silesian University of Technology opens its doors to show science in practice and enable everyone interested to experiment together.
There were many attractions waiting for visitors at each of the Silesian University of Technology faculties. One of them was the Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science. As Dr Hab. Eng. Krzysztof Siminski, Prof. SUT said, the Faculty prepared workshops, presentations, and popular science lectures, which allowed participants to learn about technologies on their own.
- Our attractions include cabin flight simulators, presentations on drones and artificial intelligence, as well as a virtual zoo using AI. Automation, electronics, and computer science are present in everyday life; therefore, they can be shown in a way that is understandable also for the youngest - said Prof. Simiński.
He also pointed out the role of scientists in bringing accurate knowledge closer. - It is also our task to bring science closer to everyone - he noted, referring to the flood of non-scientific information appearing on social media.
A wide offer was also prepared by the Faculty of Chemistry, which presented various faces of chemistry. Dr Eng. Maciej Sowa talked about his experiments in materials chemistry, carbon nanotubes, and ionic liquids, as well as presented chemical reactions.
- One of the proposals was the presentation "Night fauna in the glow of chemistry", during which the phenomena of lighting caused chemically, electrically and as a result of combustion were presented. There were also classes in cosmetology, during which participants could prepare cosmetics themselves and classes helping students prepare for the “Matura” exam - said Dr Eng. Sowa.
During the Researchers’ Night, the prize of Populariser of Science of the Silesian University of Technology was also presented for activities disseminating knowledge in 2025. This year, the award was given to:
- Dr Eng. Magdalena Zorychta-Tomsia from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering,
- Dr Eng. Małgorzata Adamiec-Organiściok from the Faculty of Automatic Control, Electronics and Computer Science,
- Dr Eng. Dawid Mrozek from the Faculty of Civil Engineering,
- Dr Eng. Marek Kciuk from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering.
The Researchers’ Night also included competitions promoting science, addressed to children and young people of different ages. During the event, prizes were awarded to the winners who prepared art works presenting ideas about scientists, popular science comics, and interviews with researchers.
A special highlight of the program was the lecture entitled "From Movement to Moving Music" by Dr Hab. Eng. Kamila Barczak and a concert of Hengelo, a band combining contemporary rock sound with inspirations from the music of the 80s, electronics and elements of jazz.
The Researchers' Night of the Silesian University of Technology showed that science can unite generations and become known not only from books, but also through experience, conversation, and independent experiments. Competitions, workshops, and meetings with researchers allowed participants to see how diverse the fields of science are and how many of them are used in everyday life.
The event was organized by the Science Popularization Centre of the Silesian University of Technology. However, it would not be possible without the support of partners and sponsors.
The institutional partner of the Event was the Upper Silesian-Zagłębie Metropolis. The partner of the event was the Katowice Special Economic Zone S.A. The partner of the Silesian University of Technology is ORLEN S.A.
The sponsors of this year’s Researchers’ Night were: COIG S.A., DB Cargo Polska S.A., Górnośląskie Towarzystwo Lotnicze S.A., ING Bank Śląski and Przedsiębiorstwo Energetyki Cieplnej – Gliwice Sp. z o.o.,
The prizes were sponsored by the TAURON Foundation and the Foundation for the Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering, and Industrial Automation of the Silesian University of Technology.
Honorary patronage over the event was taken by:
- Minister of Science and Higher Education Mr Marcin Kulasek,
- Head of the Silesian Education Board, Ms. Aleksandra Dyla,
- The Council for the Promotion of the Public Understanding of Science PAS.
The patron of the Event was EURECA-PRO. The Researchers' Night of the Silesian University of Technology has been included in the celebration of the Popularization. Of the Year of Science.
Media Partners: Radio ESKA, Dziennik Zachodni and portal naszemiasto.pl.
