The Festival of Science and Technology became green once again thanks to our natural scientists

On September 6–8, 2024, enthusiastic and smiling green T-shirted natural scientists once again lit up Pavilion A of the Brno Exhibition Centre and its surroundings with their green tents. Almost a hundred students and employees spread scientific knowledge, explained rules and demonstrated practical skills from their specialisations at fourteen sites. As always, those interested in mathematics could enjoy the playfulness and wit of the Science Theatre.

3 Oct 2024 Adéla Dilhofová Kevin Francis Roche

Every year, the Faculty of Science actively participates in the Festival of Science, which this year added "technology" to its name. The number of Departments involved in this event grows every year.

This year it was attended by:

the Department of Geography,
the Department of Biochemistry,
the Department of Chemistry,
the National Centre for Biomolecular Research (NCBR),
the Department of Geological Sciences,
the Department of Experimental Biology,
the Department of Plasma Physics and Technology,
the Department of Condensed Matter Physics,
the Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics,
the Department of Mathematics and Statistics,
RECETOX,
the Czech Antarctic Research Program,
BIOSCOPE

As always, The launch of water rockets by the astrophysicists brightened up the pavilion grounds, and visitors could also view the sun through a telescope. Thanks to the Department of Chemistry, visitors could immerse themselves in the secrets of colours and smells or enjoy crackling explosions.

Lots of other information and attractions awaited visitors inside the pavilion.

The Department of Experimental Biology offered a micro view of various types of plants and animals and showed how immunity and stress can influence them. Children could also see the developmental stages of a silkworm in detail or hold a stick insect or cockroach in their own hands

Thanks to the physicists from the Department of Physics and Plasma Technologies, visitors could see a real plasma lightsabre, get to grips with nanotechnology or discover the magic of materials processing and transformation. Students from the Department of Condensed Matter Physics demonstrated electronic chips and answered questions, such as whether it is possible to see atoms and molecules.

With its raw materials exhibit, the Department of Geological Sciences uncovered the Earth’s riches, with students providing practical examples of the mineral raw materials key to industry and the everyday objects that are made from them.

At the stands of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, visitors could try stabilising a pendulum in an inverted position or play with an Einstein stone and other interesting objects that still roll, despite their non-round shape.

Visitors could also learn details and interesting facts about the annual expeditions to the J. G. Mendel Station at the Czech Antarctic Research Programme site.

According to the festival organisers (Observatory and Planetarium Brno), a total of 10,000 visitors visited the three-day event, at which 375 science popularisers from many institutions from took part.

We would like to thank all the students and employees who helped prepare the programme and actively, patiently and enthusiastically presented the most interesting parts of their specialisations over the three day event.