In 2016 European Researchers’ Night events were run in 31 cities across Sweden by universities, science centres, museums, libraries, municipalities and regional development councils, often working in partnership.
The success of European Researchers’ Night in Sweden is due to the dedication of these local organisers who develop exciting programmes in conjunction with dedicated researchers. The 2016 activities reached over 15 257 visitors and involved some 546 researchers.
Here is a taster of some of the hundreds of activities that took place across Sweden on 30 September 2016:
Blekinge
On European Researchers’ Night the Science Centre Kreativum welcomed the whole family to an exciting day with science shows, experiments and the Researchers’ Grand Prix!
Borås
The University of Borås opened its doors to local schools to see the latest innovations in Smart Textiles. Schools could also borrow a researcher to come and talk to pupils. The regional final of the Researchers’ Grand Prix also took place.
Dalarna
Dalarna’s science centre in Borlänge, the Museum of the Future invited both schools and the public to discover more about research. Visitors could enjoy experiments, physics shows and hands-on activities as well as opportunity to informally chat to researchers in the early evening.
Eskilstuna & Västerås
Visitors could meet researchers and ask questions over a cup of coffee at a number of science cafés around Eskilstuna. In Västerås you could try hands-on research yourself with activities on topics such as energy, health and robotics or cheer for your favourite researcher in the Researchers’ Grand Prix. Organised by Mälardalen University Sweden.
Gothenburg
Gothenburg University invited visitors to meet researchers at the Maritime Museum to find out new things about everything from fish and reptiles to DNA and bacteria.
Gävle
Gävle University does lots of research into the elderly and ways to support the ageing population. Visitors could listen to researchers explain about their work, watch demonstrations and see bionic legs in action!
Activities in the city library, Halmstad. Image: Högskolan i Halmstad.
Halmstad
Halmstad University organised European Researchers’ Night at Halmstad city library. The square outside was packed full of exciting hand-on activities for all ages and children could also have fun on the Science Safari experiment bus. Researchers also competed in a Science Slam, which visitors could listen to.
Jönköping & Eksjö
This year’s activities were held all over the city with a vast programme for all ages, including demonstrations, science fairs, Science Cafés and Science After Works. At the After School event at Upptech science centre families could try experiments and a special activity walk. The county museum also hosted a programme of events. Organised by Jönköping University, Jönköping County and the municipalities in the region.
Karlstad
Karlstad University invited schools to a range of exciting activities, workshops and exhibitions. Researchers were also found in the city centre’s shopping centre, where passers by could stop and try hands-on fun activities and hear about their exciting work.
Lidköping
At European Researchers’ Night more than 400 pupils of different ages met researchers to hear all about what it means to be a researcher and the work that they do. This year’s theme was Recycling and Waste. The public was also welcome to informally meet researchers and hear about the latest research at evening events being held at the City Library. Organised by Vänermuseet.
Linköping & Norrköping
In Linköping and Norrköping visitors were invited to meet researchers from Linköping University, who explained what they do and why over a cup of coffee at events held in venues around both cities.
Lund
Vattenhallen Science Centre in Lund invited pupils to participate in experiments together with researchers from Lund University and to be the jury in Vattenhallen’s Science Slam. In a fun and educational game of scientific discovery, pupils became researchers themselves as they undertook a class expedition to investigate a fictional planet.
Malmö
Malmö University organised the regional final of the Researchers’ Grand Prix in which researchers were challenged to present their research in a fun and educational way, in just four minutes!
Piteå
A whole day of activities, including short talks, maker space workshops, science cafés and science bar took place in Piteå. Visitors could see 3D printing in action, how biodiesel is made of pine trees and learn all about snow research! Organised by Innovation Pite together with Piteå municipality, Piteå Science Park and the three RISE Research Institutes of Sweden.
Skellefteå
Skellefteå offered an exciting programme of hands-on activities, lectures, film screenings and maker space workshops with their researchers at Campus Skellefteå. Workshops for schools were also held at Nordanå and visitors were invited to an evening science café.
Skövde
At the University of Skövde’s Science Fair, researchers let visitors experience their own discoveries in a new, comprehensive and engaging way with lots of activities for all ages.
Stenstorp & Falköping
At Dalénium Science Centre in Stenstorp there were lots of fun activities and science experiments for everyone. Researchers also gave presentations to pupils at Ålleberg Upper Secondary School in Falköping.
Stenungsund
Molekylverkstan Science Centre offered an exciting afternoon of activities for all the family in Stenungsund. Researchers also visited local schools to discuss the latest developments in science and technology.
Stockholm
Debaser Medis in Medborgarplatsen in central Stockholm hosted this year’s European Researchers’ Night with over 200 participating researchers. The around 4 500 visitors could enjoy science shows, experiments, workshops, exhibitions and competitions. Organised by the Science Centre Vetenskapens Hus, House of Science.
Södertälje
Demonstrations, presentations and even researcher speed dating were on offer for pupils at Tom Tits Experiment. They got to meet researchers working at some of the most innovative companies in the area and find out about how research is a key part of business and entrepreneurship – not just at universities.
Trollhättan
University West invited everyone who is curious about science to meet their researchers over a cup of coffee at a number of venues around the town. Also, visitors could come along and cheer for their favourite researcher in the Researchers’ Grand Prix contest. School pupils also got to see high-tech robots in action with special guided tours of the Production Technology Centre or could borrow a researcher to visit their school.
Umeå
Schools were invited to borrow a researcher to visit their school. In the evening, Umevatoriet science centre offered an exciting programme for all the family, including lots of experiments and their popular physics and chemistry shows.
Uppsala
Uppsala university hosted a regional final of the Researchers’ Grand Prix, where the public could help decide which researcher was best at presenting their research in just four minutes.
Öland
With 80 million insects, Station Linné holds the biggest collection of insects in the world. They opened up the doors of their laboratory, where their researchers work, and invited people of all ages to discover more about the fascinating world of these minibeasts.
Örnsköldsvik
Komtek Örnsköldsvik organised exciting experiments and activities for all ages. Anyone curious about science and what researchers do, could come along to find out more. Organised by the municipality of Örnsköldsvik.
