Registration for projects of the Lublin Science Festival begins soon

Lublin as the European Youth Capital, the Year of Nicolaus Copernicus or artificial intelligence are just some of the topics the projects will refer to during the Lublin Science Festival 2023. More than 1,300 projects are waiting for those interested in learning about the latest scientific achievements and one will be able to register for these projects from Thursday, June 15. I am convinced that an extraordinary journey into the world of science and art awaits the participants of the Festival, to which I cordially invite you today. This invitation came from S. Dr. Habil. Beata Zarzycka, prof. KUL, vice-rector for science and human resources of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, which is the main organizer of this year's Festival.

For the 19th time, the Lublin Science Festival is organized by five Lublin universities - KUL, Lublin University of Technology, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Medical University and University of Life Sciences. This year's edition will hold under the slogan "Science for the future" and will begin on Monday, September 18, 2023 with the performance "The Magician from Lublin" by the student Theater of ITP. The festival events will last until September 24, and their culmination will traditionally be the Lublin Science Picnic, which will take place on September 23 at Targi Lublin. To encourage participation, S. Vice-Rector Zarzycka said that the festival is a unique opportunity to learn about the latest scientific and technological achievements and to meet outstanding scientists and experts from the Lublin scientific community representing various fields, as well as representatives of institutions co-creating the Festival with us.

Although there are still 3 months left to the Festival, over 1,300 projects have already been registered in the system, addressed to various age groups - from preschoolers, through students, to seniors. This year, due to the fact that Lublin has been awarded the title of the European Youth Capital, the organizers attach particular importance to events dedicated to this age group. It will be possible to register for the projects from Thursday, June 15, on the website, festival.lublin.pl. According to the main coordinator of the Festival, Dr. Anna Dutkowska from KUL, registration will start by 15.15. The program of the Festival will include special events; for example, as part of the special day "Artificial intelligence - chance or threat?" there will be a meeting on positive cyberpsychology with invited guests from the Center for Positive Psychology and Health in Ireland. These guests are researchers introducing AI-based applications for the sake of human well-being, i.e. good physical and mental condition. In turn, the Year of Nicolaus Copernicus refers to the event entitled "Looking into space", which will not only allow you to get to know the phenomenon of the researcher who changed people's perception of the world around them, but is also an invitation for the young participants of the festival to learn more about space and technological development enabling its exploration.

Each of the universities co-creating the Festival prepared a number of projects. At KUL, you will be able to find out whether inventions are the work of thought-out knowledge, chance or maybe a mistake. You will also learn how to make cosmetics or take part in workshops on the basics of celestial navigation, during which you can find out how to reach your destination without the help of electronics such as GPS. According to Dr. Katarzyna Dębińska-Domagała, university coordinator from KUL, it will also be possible to solve a criminal mystery and become the successor of Sherlock Holmes, and learn about the rights and obligations of people who make up the neighborhood community.

Lublin University of Technology, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, invites all, among other things, to the exhibitions of vision systems and building automation, which allows you to control your smart home remotely. Today it is difficult to find a field of science that does not use technical devices; this is why in the University of Technology, it will be possible to participate in projects concerning their application in various non-obvious research projects, such as stem cell research. As Dr. Małgorzata Ciosmak said, we will also present a prototype hydrogen-powered vehicle that allows you to cover 400 km on a cubic meter of hydrogen. We also want to organize a march of the creased and unironed, thus encouraging the use of clothes that do not require ironing, she added.

UMCS invites all, among other things, to meetings with robots, during which you will be able to find out how a robot sees, hears and even ... feels. The projects will also allow you to get to know Genibots, i.e. educational robots that will help you create your own piece of music. During the exhibition of chemical experiments, students will show how to call a Genie out of a bottle, create dragon's blood and a chemical chameleon. Students will also have a unique opportunity to get to know the Korsarz class yacht and the world of sailing, and everyone will listen to the concert of Afro-Cuban music Fiesta Cubana. UMCS projects are presented by the university coordinator, Dr. Monika Baczewska-Ciupak.

The coordinator of the Medical University, Dr. Monika Jakubiak-Hulicz, says that the university has prepared a number of projects related to prevention and health education. You will be able to find out what sleep is and why it is so important for us, since we sleep as much as 1/3 of our lives. One can also learn the techniques of simple breathing exercises and learn how to breathe effectively. Participants of the Festival will have the opportunity to talk seriously about obesity, and learn how to become a bone marrow donor or learn the basics of sign language. The youngest in "Teddy Bear Hospital..." will be able to play the role of both a patient and a doctor.

In its turn, at the University of Life Sciences, we will find out what our four-legged friends should not eat, as well as whether insects are worth eating and what a chocolate-coated cricket tastes like. This information was given by the university coordinator, Dr. Eng. Justyna Libera. Classes in forest survival and designing Japanese dry gardens await those who are interested. One will also be able to play the role of a detective and learn about the role of biological traces in the investigation.

The Lublin Science Festival is an event that attracts more and more participants every year. This was emphasized by Robert Żyśko, Deputy Director of the Strategy and Entrepreneurship Department of the Lublin City Hall. Appreciating the academic dimension of Lublin, the city is involved in the organization of the Festival. This year, Lublin, as the European Youth Capital, wants to offer young people competent workshops, as well as academic trips, thanks to which it will be possible to see places that are usually inaccessible to visitors.

Framework program of the Lublin Science Festival:

• September 18, 2023 (Monday) – Solemn inauguration of the Lublin Science Festival; Opera Hall, Center for the Meeting of Cultures, Lublin.

• September 18 (Monday) - September 22 (Monday) 2023 - Presentations and events at Lublin universities and institutions co-creating the Lublin Science Festival;

• September 23, 2023 (Saturday) - Lublin Science Picnic, Targi Lublin.

• September 24, 2023 (Sunday) - Closing Ceremony of the Lublin Science Festival, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin in Lublin.

Special events:

• September 22, 2023 (Friday) - "Artificial intelligence - chance or threat?"