Science explained in fun ways for 30 years
The 30th Science Festival. Photo: Jakob Pintar/STA
Scientists, science communicators and students from Slovenia and abroad came together last week for three days of lectures, talks, exhibitions and experiments during the Slovenian Science Festival, which has been explaining science for 30 years.
The first lecture at the festival, hosted by the Ljubljana Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, was given by biologist Marina Dermastia, who holds the 2023 Science Communicator title.
"Now, we're going to put on our plant glasses," she invited the audience into her interactive lecture about the amazing world of plants. These are not just a decoration but an important part of the ecosystem and crucial for life on Earth, she reminded the audience.
Visitors were also able to hear lectures about potable water, nano rockets, development of optics for telescopes, meteorology, science communication, and teaching.
Secondary school students presented the projects they work on, spanning fields as diverse as computational chemistry and tunnel construction.
Researchers Marko Jeran and Jan Gnidovec wowed the audience by performing different chemical and physical experiments, such as creating blue luminescent light by means of hydrogen peroxide.
They finished their show by preparing "chemistry beer", earning a roaring applause from the young visitors, who participated throughout and answered their chemistry questions, demonstrating their excellent knowledge.
Students were also able to try the cuisine of ancient Rome, including spiced grape juice and canapés with grape juice and beef dumplings. They were particularly impressed by grape juice with dates, laurel leaves, cinnamon, saffron and honey.
Many students and teachers visit the festival each year, both from Slovenia and from the diaspora. One of the largest groups this year from the France Bevk Primary in Ljubljana.
"We've been coming to this festival for thirty years, so this is a jubilee for us as well," chemistry teacher Violeta Stefanovik said.
"The students are looking forward to visiting every year because they see what potential career paths there are and how they may once live the life of scientists," she said.
Two photography exhibitions were on show at the festival, one depicting the solar eclipse in April and the other the northern lights as they are seen in Slovenia.
This year the festival honoured zoologist Jovan Hadži, machine engineer Feliks Lobe and geologist Mario Pleničar. Some of their descendants were in attendance as a lecture was given on the three Slovenian scientists.
"I remember that there weren't many things my granddad didn't know how to do - from working on the farm to shoes to tramways," said Tomaž Lobe about his grandfather the engineer.
"I find it nice that we honour his memory with an event like this. He did a lot for Slovenia and for Yugoslavia. I think we don't remember such people often enough," he said.
Many Slovenian scientists working abroad visit the festival regularly, such as astrophysicist Marija Strojnik. She says she does not use complicated equations in her lectures to make them accessible to young people and to send a message that the future belongs to them.
Marcos Bavdaž, who has been working for the European Space Agency (ESA) for three decades, is also among regulars. "It is important that we communicate about what we do and why this is important for humanity. I love participating in this event, I'm always thrilled to see so many youths," he said.
Irena Lazar, dean of the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Primorska and patron of this year's science festival, expressed the hope that the festival will keep bringing scientists together, enabling them to encourage the youth to be curious and to understand that there are no wrong questions. "This will strengthen the trust in science," she said.
