LIKE FAR too many of us, my relationship with science is a rocky one. It is a world I fear to enter. All of which made me the perfect candidate to visit Friday’s ‘Science Revealed!’ event, organised by the Research Promotion Foundation (RPF).
Housed at the cosy Ammochostos Gate within Nicosia’s old city, the event aimed to demystify science and to entertain its mostly young audience. The extensive use of monitors and visual information provided a very interactive ambiance, and there were no white lab coats in sight.
Over 28 kiosks were set up, hosting universities and research groups from all over Cyprus, presenting a variety of research projects in medicine, agriculture, engineering and the arts. Many researchers were eager to highlight the link between science and other fields.
“We’re trying to show people how fun science can be and how it can be connected to other subjects; in our case history and archaeology,” said Robertos Georgiou, a research assistant of The Cyprus Institute, while handing me a pair of 3D glasses with which to view a documentary.
One of the stands was turned into a dark room by the Institute of Neurology and Genetics (ING). Its “Sherlock Holmes’ Labyrinth” had many children queuing up to try and perform CSI-style tests through the use of UV lights and DNA profiling.
“We want to show both youngsters and adults how biology can be a useful tool when applying it to problem-solving situations, while also adding a sense of excitement,” said Marilena Xatzivasileiou.
“Of course a lot of the work and research is done in labs and study rooms, but they are not as dark and frightening as some people make it out to be,” said a smiling Timos Papadopoulos of the Cyprus University, who was in charge of ‘Beat the Dolphin’, a computer game set up by the university for the event. Not surprisingly it was a popular attraction.
One of the most crowded kiosks belonged to the Cyprus University of Technology, which was preparing ice cream out of liquid nitrogen; a procedure called molecular gastronomy.
“I make science from scratch,” said Viken Tavitian, standing behind a kiosk with the sign ‘Physics in the Kitchen’. His experiments with Coca-cola bottles and marbles had children wondering whether he was a magician, to which Tavitian replied: “No magic, just physics!”
“By inventing new amazing materials, we think that scientists are the true superheroes, rather than the Marvel Comics’ characters!” boasted a member of the RPF.
“I found this really interesting, and the interactive nature of the presentations gave them an extra edge,” said Kyriakos Nikiforou, a 21-year-old visitor. “I would definitely come again next year!”
Other activities included the ‘S-Factor’ competition, where high school students humorously presented a scientific phenomenon in less than three minutes, and the observation of the Nicosia skyline through telescopes.
The format worked. The turn out was high, particularly with families and young adults.
Science Revealed! was an EU Commission initiative, with similar events taking place in every EU Member State and was supported by the Ministry of Education and Culture as well as the Nicosia Municipality.
“The event’s success over the past few years has been very encouraging with more and more children and young people attending,” said Anna-Maria Christophorou, Science Revealed coordinator.
“Science can be both interesting and fun, and we wanted young people to see that first hand with entertaining and light-hearted presentations.”
Even I went away feeling just a little more at ease.
