Scientists’ Night Held at Liepāja University
On Friday, 30 September, a large number of schoolchildren, young people and their parents gathered at Liepāja University to enjoy exciting science. This was Scientists’ Night, traditionally held throughout Europe on the last Friday of September, with experienced and early-career scientists from Liepāja University also taking part.
The Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering and the Institute of Natural Sciences and Innovative Technologies presented students’ research projects. Visitors had the opportunity to learn about an innovative fruit dryer, products made from seaweed, an artificial intelligence-based prosthetic hand, a permaculture system, a mobile robot for monitoring bodies of water, and an electric car developed by students. The students were happy to share their experiences of how the projects had been created and what it takes to become a researcher; visitors could even take a ride in the electric car.
Younger schoolchildren could play robot football and make their own paper in a paper-recycling workshop. Those who enjoy mathematics solved various problems, such as calculating how many kilometres are covered in ten thousand steps after first measuring the length of their own step.
The youngest visitors, together with their parents, explored the Montessori world adventure offered by the Faculty of Education and Social Work, where docent Gundega Tomele helped them play. They also had the opportunity to try the “Light and Shadow Games”. Madara, a mother who had brought her three-year-old to Scientists’ Night, said: “The children are having an exciting time here. We liked the light table best; we should try the Montessori activities as well. If you can also make new friends, then this visit has been a success!”
The Faculty of Humanities and Arts brought together those interested in literature, and a discussion was held on the topic “What to read? When to read? Why read? What to do with it?”. Young writers and students took part in the discussion. At the end, students of New Media Art and Creative Writing presented an audiovisual performance, which could be enjoyed in the basement spaces of the New Media Art department.
