On October 7th, our members had the honor to compose the Night of Scientists for our youngest scientists! All our activities took place at the Biotechnology Centre, where we were prepared for all workshops by mgr inż. Anna Byczek-Wyrostek, for which we thank you very much in advance 🙂
In addition to workshops, children could paint their faces or see a significant collection of minerals.
Our young scientists had the opportunity to be the ace in the sky... And actually learn that "wszystkie kw(ASY) mają zasady!" as part of the workshop. Younger people were mostly satisfied with the last experience, where they could make their own slime. Most of the children were delighted when they learned that they could take the product home in pre-prepared petri dishes. The second experiment was also very impressive, where young lab technicians could see how quickly sodium bicarbonate reacts with citric acid.
In addition, the first experiment in a simple but interesting way showed younger people basic physicochemical properties (e.g. diffusion and density). During the reaction of the stained vinegar and sodium, they could see the resulting gas and dye flowing upwards. And all this was full of colors, which in a way added uniqueness to each experience!
During the Nocy Naukowców at our faculty, in addition to workshops, there was an exhibition of minerals along with demonstrations. At the exhibition you could see the collection of our vice-president, Filip Wojtas, together with the works of our students who took part in the "Chemiczny kryształ" competition organized by us. In addition, within the exhibition you could see beautiful crystals, where by their very presence they aroused excitement and wonder. During the exhibition, you could listen to interesting facts about the minerals, see them up close under a microscope and admire the beautiful chemical gardens grown on site during the event.
"I am pleased with such a large attendance and interest in minerals. I hope that next year we will have even more people who would like to hear my chatter." - comments Filip Wojtas, who coordinated the work on the exhibition and shows related to his "pebbles" 🙂
And as part of the break between attractions, the youngest could tattoo various designs on our stand! "Working with children is never boring! At this year’s Nocy Naukowców together with Agnieszka we received a very important task... cheer up by painting children’s faces and fulfilling their small artistic dreams.
Our stand was located in the lobby of the Biotechnology Centre, where we welcomed every newly arrived group of children, carers and parents. At first the youngest were a bit shy, but when they discovered how many patterns and colors we could offer them, they came to us more and more willingly. We did not even realize when and around us every now and then gathered a huge number of both girls and boys, who wanted to decorate their mouths, hands and even legs with tattoos, drawings or glowing crystals.
"Agnieszka and I painted everything, from small simple hearts and flowers to pokemons, mermaids and spidermans. We enjoyed every laughing face and thanks we received from every child after finishing painting our small works of art." - comments Natalia Siodłak, one of the artists at this year's edition 🙂
And for the older seekers of knowledge, we have prepared workshops where we peel the colors of the rainbow - as in the famous saying "Czemu patrzysz żabo zielona na głupiego Fanfarona?"
Young lab technicians could see how many colors really were in the marker by experimenting on a thin-film chromatography plate, or see the colors of the rainbow as part of any kind of reaction (remember the chameleon? 🙂 )
At the very end of the workshop participants were able to make their own slime and additionally wash soap 🙂
We would like to thank all participants for coming to us to discover science as part of the Noc Naukowców! In addition, we would like to thank all students and MSc Eng. Annie Byczek-Wyrostek for preparing the night, where instead of shooting stars we had the opportunity to touch, experience and above all - see the beauty of science!
We invite you to watch the photo report and see you next year!
https://portal.polsl.pl/sknch/fotoreportaze/noc_naukowcow_2023/
