Every year, on the last Friday of September, the European Researchers’ Night takes place in Europe. This year, the event took place on 29th September across 26 countries. The ISSP UL welcomed all friends of science from 17:00 to 21:00. During the event, everyone had the opportunity to get to know the Institute’s work and areas of activity better.
Over 700 people of all ages attended the Researchers’ Night at the ISSP UL. However, the event gained its most considerable popularity among school students, who actively participated in the activities organized by the institute’s staff. Every visitor was welcome at the event, while Riga Technical College, Carnikava Primary School, Ogre State Gymnasium and other educational institutions had previously registered their participation.
A live fire show in the courtyard of the LU CFI was very popular with the visitors. The luminescence experiments and the opportunity to model a crystal lattice also attracted considerable interest. The science snack – a soft drink and corn sticks with dry ice were a particular treat for the curious.
The activities of the Researchers’ Night took place on all floors of the Institute, where participants could learn about the world of microfluidics, the working principles of batteries and the peculiarities of visual perception. Visitors could measure the thickness of their hair, learn about mechanochromic luminescence (a result of mechanical action on a luminescent material) and photoluminescence (light emission from any form of matter after the absorption of photon or light) and find out more about the projects carried out at the Institute.
During the event, the science fans could also test their knowledge by taking part in a special Science Mission. After providing answers to scientific questions on each floor, participants collected stamps on a special card, which could be exchanged for ISSP UL prizes.
Around 60 ISSP UL employees, experienced scientists, young researchers and non-scientific staff contributed to the organization and activities of the event.
The European Researchers’ Night is a Europe-wide public event that displays science’s diversity and its impact on citizens’ daily lives in fun, inspiring ways. It aims to bring research and researchers closer to the public, promote excellent research projects across Europe and beyond, increase the interest of young people in science and research careers, and showcase the impact of researchers’ work on people’s daily lives. The European Researchers’ Night attracts more than 1.5 million visitors each year.
