More than 80 educational stands, science shows, experiments, workshops, sports activities and thousands of visitors – this was the 5^th  Fahrenheit Science Picnic, celebrated this year on the birthday of Gabriel Fahrenheit.

Organised jointly by the Fahrenheit Universities (FarU) and Hevelianum, the event once again transformed Góra Gradowa into an open space for science, hands-on experiences and family-friendly exploration. This year’s edition was accompanied by beautiful weather, a fantastic atmosphere and the energy of thousands of participants who spent the day with their families enjoying a wide range of scientific attractions. 

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The picnic attracted residents from across the Pomeranian region – children, teenagers, students, families, senior citizens and everyone interested in experiencing science first-hand and discovering that it can be fascinating, engaging and accessible to all. What is more, the event welcomed a record-breaking attendance of more than 6,000 visitors, the highest number in the history of the Science Picnic to date.

This is a unique celebration of Gdańsk’s scientific community and an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that science does not take place solely in laboratories, clinics or research facilities – said Prof. Piotr Stepnowski, Chair of the Assembly of the Fahrenheit Universities and Rector of the University of Gdańsk, during the opening of the picnic. – We want to share knowledge, answer questions and inspire people to explore the world around them. I am pleased that more higher education institutions are joining this initiative – we are now together as five such institutions from Gdańsk. With the addition of the Academy of Fine Arts and the Academy of Music, the event has become even more colourful, creative and inspiring. Events like this show that science is close to people and has a direct impact on our everyday lives. 

Science stage

The event programme opened with an official ceremony attended by regional authorities, the rectors of Gdańsk’s higher education institutions and the directors of Hevelianum. Throughout the day, the main stage served as a venue for demonstrations, presentations and popular science talks.

Visitors attended a youth panel discussion on studying in the age of overstimulation, watched the zero-waste fashion show  titled “At Fahrenheit’s Birthday Party”, which also featured university rectors, and listened to an insightful discussion on future technologies and the energy transition organised jointly with Polish Nuclear Power Plants.  

We have once again highlighted the strong role of science in the life of Gdańsk and the Pomerania region. This event’s success was made possible through excellent cooperation, the passion of researchers, the commitment of Hevelianum’s educators and the remarkable openness of our visitors. We showed that science can be talked about in an accessible and engaging way, inspiring others with passion – said Paweł Golak, Director of Hevelianum.

– Seeing entire families discovering the world of science together demonstrates just how much such events are needed. Once again, Hevelianum became a place where curiosity, knowledge and positive energy came together. 

Spectacular science shows attracted considerable interest, including “Magic versus Science”, presented by Hevelianum, and “Energy-Driven Reaction”, a show delivered in cooperation with Aramco Europe. 

The stage also hosted discussions on the future of the labour market (presented by Invest in Pomerania), astronomy, first aid, and a presentation of the SolarHealthHub project – an example of a student initiative that has successfully been implemented. The event also featured the presentation of the Fahrenheit Universities Awards and the ceremonial awarding of grants under the programme run by the Fahrenheit Universities and the investGDA Foundation. Stanisław Szultka, Director of the Department of Economic Development of the Pomeranian Regional Governor’s Office, greeted the winners of the fourth edition of the Fahrenheit Scholarship Programme for International PhD Students.

The heart of the event – the science village

Throughout the day, visitors could enjoy a wide range of attractions at the Fahrenheit Universities Science Village, prepared by the three member institutions: the Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk University of Technology and the University of Gdańsk. The programme featured workshops, experiments and demonstrations covering medicine, exact sciences, environmental sciences and the humanities.  

At the Medical University of Gdańsk’s stands, visitors could watch first-aid demonstrations, undergo preventive health screenings, explore the microscopic world and take part in interactive workshops and quizzes highlighting the importance of preventive healthcare. 

Gdańsk University of Technology invited guests into the world of architecture, robotics, cybernetics, electronics and advanced materials. One of the highlights was the presentation of a racing car developed by students from the PGRacing Team. 

The University of Gdańsk prepared a diverse programme of workshops and experiments spanning both the sciences and the humanities. Participants could take part in creative writing workshops, music therapy demonstrations, scientific experiments, microscopic observations and eco-cosmetics making sessions. There were also activities for those interested in economics and business.  

Particularly popular were the attractions in the Pythagoras Hall, where visitors could undergo free preventive health screenings, including measurements of glucose, cholesterol and uric acid levels as well as blood pressure. Specialists from the Medical University of Gdańsk also provided advice on healthy lifestyles and disease prevention.  

Various attraction zones 

In the Children’s Zone, participants took part in animations, building workshops and eco-themed games. The Local Government of the Pomeranian Region (a partner of the picnic) invited children and families to join the large-format game “Spy Guy Pomerania”, in which participants acted as detectives discovering the Pomeranian region through puzzles and clue-hunting activities. 

This was also the venue for the première of an educational children’s booklet on healthy eating habits, prepared in cooperation with Aramco Europe. The booklet was distributed free of charge to the youngest participants of the picnic. Children also built vehicles using LEGO blocks and created colourful pipeline constructions.

Meanwhile, thanks to the ORLEN dla Pomorza Foundation, participants were able to programme ecoBOTS responsible for waste segregation. The picnic was full of young explorers who took part in workshops and experiments with great enthusiasm. 

The best part for me was isolating DNA from an onion. I didn’t know you could actually see it with your own eyes! – said 7-year-old Maks, who was conducting such an experiment for the first time.  

Experiments demonstrating how the human body works also generated a lot of excitement. Nine-year-old Zuzia tried to retrieve a colourful bead, symbolising kidney stones, from water. – I learned that you need to drink a lot of water so you don’t get kidney stones – she said after completing the task. 

There were many more such stories throughout the picnic – children had a great time while learning through hands-on experience, experimentation, and conversations with scientists and students. 

Little explorers, big emotions 

Participants could also enjoy a wide range of attractions prepared by the event’s partners. The ORLEN dla Pomorza Foundation created a road safety zone, where visitors could test a rollover simulator, collision simulator, airbag deployment simulator and reaction/reflex tests. Participants were able to see what traffic situations look like from a completely new perspective and understand why speed, combined with caution and attentiveness, is of crucial importance. 

Polish Nuclear Power Plants provided an educational introduction to nuclear energy through interactive games, discussions and a stage presentation. 

A new feature of this year’s edition was a racing track with remote-controlled Formula 1 cars, prepared in cooperation with Aramco Europe. Fast bends, sporting excitement and modern technologies attracted hundreds of motorsport fans throughout the day – both younger and older participants. 

Invest in Pomerania invited visitors to its zone dedicated to future skills, offshore energy and the energy transition. Children built eco-friendly wind turbines, conducted experiments and explored physical phenomena, while parents had the opportunity to learn more about the labour market and collect a report on future skills. 

Dedicated activity zones were also prepared by partners involved in environmental protection and modern energy solutions, including Clean Energy Port, Waste Disposal Plant, Gdańskie Wodociągi GIWK, the Environmental Information and Education Centre, and the City of Gdańsk’s Department of Ecology and Energy. Participants could take part in workshops, educational games, environmental activities and technology demonstrations, all centred around the themes of environmental protection and the energy transition. 

The 5^th Fahrenheit Science Picnic was organised by the Fahrenheit Universities: Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk Tech (the organiser of the Baltic Science Festival) and University of Gdańsk as well as Hevelianum. Admission was free. 

The partners for the event were the Local Government of the Pomerania Region and: Amberexpo, Invest in Pomerania Development Agency, Aramco Europe, Polish Nuclear Power Pland, ORLEN dla Pomorza Foundation, Environmental Information and Education Centre,  Port Czystej Energii, Department of Ecology and Energy of the Gdańsk City Hall, Gdańskie Wodociągi, City Guard in Gdańsk, Waste Disposal Plant in Gdańsk and Gdańsk Sports Centre.

foto: Gregmar