In the penultimate week of the school year, Prague's Dejvice will host the largest outdoor science laboratory, as is tradition. Every year, a number of universities, academic departments, leisure institutions and companies participate in the preparation of the programme.
ScienceFest is a showcase of everything interesting that science brings to life. It shows that science is not only interesting but also useful and is all around us without us realising it. "This year we have again prepared surprises and new attractions for all curious visitors. Whatever field of science you are interested in, you will find it at ScienceFest. We are delighted that many major companies join ScienceFest every year," says Tamara Mašatová from the DDM of the Capital City of Prague on behalf of the organisers. She is also a member of the team of the Prague City Council.
In 112 tents, you can touch science and become a researcher, engineer, pilot, soldier, cameraman or doctor, rescuer, economist, mathematician, but also a bricklayer or plumber and get a glimpse into many fields. You'll see how to detect toxic gases and how to identify people by papillary lines, or how concrete has evolved over the centuries. You can become a formula pilot or even an airplane pilot. You will experience how an astronaut feels or how a driver feels when a car overturns. You'll discover which micro-organisms and parasites live with us, how to counter fraudulent experiments on the internet, how museum collections are created or how old steam engines work and what radioactivity looks like. You will learn how to sort waste properly and discover how to predict the weather.
Virtual reality and workshops
You will also enjoy virtual reality in many fields. With the City Library's Bibliobus you can visit the library in several historical periods, build a wall or fix a dripping tap with the Academy of Crafts, and paint a car or a room. With the CTU you can walk above the skyscrapers. "...and believe me, this will not be the only really interesting experience you will see in the stands and expositions of our faculties and units. I am really glad that ScienceFest brings technology and science closer to the general public and that CTU will traditionally be there," CTU Rector Vojtech Petracek invites visitors.
PPG, the paint manufacturer and main partner of the festival, which produces Primalex in the Czech Republic and brings together popular painting brands such as Balakryl and Bondex, has prepared an interactive workshop for visitors on the mysteries of paint creation and mixing.
"At PPG, we are committed to protecting and beautifying the world. That's why this year we are entering our second year of partnership with ScienceFest to help educate the next generation of leaders in the scientific fields. PPG is staffed by passionate chemists and engineers who were drawn to these fields when they were young, and I firmly believe that we will spark the curiosity of even the youngest visitors at ScienceFest," said Jan Šipan, PPG's Commercial Director for the Czech Republic, Architectural Coatings Division.
Show and competition
The varied programme on the lawn will be complemented by the programme on the ScienceFest stage. In addition to the chemistry shows, you can also look forward to a building construction show and the announcement of the winners of the festival competition. All visitors can compete for a tailor-made day at the zoo, a subscription to ABC magazine, a chemistry package from the Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague and an engineering package from the CTU.
Current topic - Artificial Intelligence
There will also be a "hot" current topic, namely artificial intelligence. For schools, ScienceFest has prepared interactive lectures on "AI in your pocket". A public debate, "What AI is and is not: myths and facts", will close the day's programme. The debate is primarily aimed at parents of children who have already been introduced to artificial intelligence. Parents can ask questions about everything they are worried about, interested in or do not understand.
Programme of ScienceFest can be found at www.vedafest.cz