Night of Science

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Lettering of the Night of Science

The Night of Science ( NoS for short ) has been an annual event since 2006 on the Riedberg campus of the Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main . It serves to get to know the natural science departments better. In around 70–80 lectures and panel discussions from the fields of biochemistry , biophysics , life sciences , chemistry , geosciences / meteorology , neurosciences , immunology , computer science , mathematics , medicine , pharmacy , physics and psychology as well as a supporting program, visitors can experience the natural sciences in a relaxed atmosphere to get to know. The non-university research facilities on campus, the Max Planck Institute for Biophysics and the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, are also involved with both lectures and presentations of their rooms to the public. All lectures, demonstrations and tours are public and free of charge. Due to the corona pandemic , a purely online event took place in 2020.

Structure of the organization

The Night of Science was founded in 2006 as a peaceful protest against the then introduced tuition fees. It differs from similar events in that it was set up and organized by students on a voluntary basis from the start. All helpers, including both lecturers and fellow students, who are involved in setting up and dismantling, at drinks and food counters, etc. support, work voluntarily and free of charge. To this day, the implementation and organization is in the hands of students. For this, the organization team was awarded the Hessian University Prize for Excellence in Teaching in 2012. In advance, this group of 20–30 students from the participating fields meets at regular intervals, i. H. 1–2 times a month, more often in the end phase, to plan the event. You can traditionally recognize the skilled members of the team by their colored polo shirts. Since 2010, helpers at the drinks and food counters have also been given T-shirts with the logo of the respective Night of Science.

target group

The Night of Science is suitable for all age groups. The lecturers endeavor to translate the majority of the topics into a language suitable for everyday use. However, the Night of Science is also interesting for specialists, because further lectures are offered for which certain knowledge in the respective subject area is helpful. So z. B. Students from related departments broaden their horizons and promote their interdisciplinary thinking. According to the organizers, more than 7,000 visitors were recorded for the first time in 2012.

Guest speaker

Ernst Peter Fischer at the opening lecture at the Night of Science 2011

The Night of Science has been opened by a guest speaker since 2007.

Leading figure

The NoS also honors a famous scientist with a “leading figure”. There were:

Supporting program

Bembelbots Frankfurt at the Night of Science 2011

In addition to the lectures that last the entire night, visitors are offered a supporting program. This includes guided tours through institutes and outdoor areas as well as demonstrations such as the georadar or the weather balloon as well as the presentation of the Academic Aviation Group of the University of Frankfurt . In addition, phenomena from mathematics and natural sciences are presented in interactive experiment stations. For further entertainment there is a children's playground and a live stage with various bands. Catering is provided through the sale of grilled food and donated cakes, as well as through drinks counters. The meadow in front of the physics building offers seating for consumption. A free breakfast is also offered the next morning after the last lectures.

financing

The organization of the event includes a. the complete financing. For this, the students rely on the help of sponsors from the print media, radio, research institutions and technology and chemical companies. Without their support, the Night of Science would not be possible in this form.

Design and merchandising

The design of the posters, flyers, cups, pens, bags and programs is also in the hands of the students. Traditionally, there is a matching mug with a changing design for every Night of Science. These cups are u. a. presented to the lecturers as a thank you, but they can also be purchased at the event.

Web links

Commons : Night of Science  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Winner brochure: Hessian University Prize for Excellence in Teaching 2012 ( Memento of the original from April 2, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF; 3.1 MB) @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.lehrpreis-hessen.de

Coordinates: 50 ° 10 ′ 23.9 "  N , 8 ° 37 ′ 45.4"  E