Experience research first-hand when SciFest opens its doors

Over two days, Fyrishov will be filled with school classes who will get to meet researchers and try their hand at various aspects of the world of research. On Saturday, the general public gets their turn.
SciFest is organised by Uppsala University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) with the aim of making research accessible, understandable and, above all, something you can experience for yourself.

“It’s very much about sparking curiosity and giving people a sense of how exciting it is to understand how things work,” says Katarina Holmborn Garpenstrand, Uppsala University’s project manager for SciFest.

From archaeology to space robots

This year’s programme features nearly 80 activities and showcases the breadth of research – from the humanities and social sciences to medicine, natural sciences and technology.

Among other things, visitors can try their hand at archaeological methods using real artefacts from the excavation in Carolinaparken, discover the secret lives of butterflies, become disease detectives and investigate whether things we usually throw away are actually edible.

Anyone who wishes to can also program a Lego rover and send it out in search of mineral samples. You can also explore the universe, learn more about earthquakes and extreme weather, or enjoy an immersive film experience taking you from the vast expanses of space right down to the tiniest parts of the human body. These are just a few examples of all there is to do at SciFest.

Meet real-life researchers

But SciFest is about much more than just testing out different activities. An important part of the festival is the actual interaction between researchers and visitors.

Researchers from a wide range of fields will be on hand throughout the day. Visitors can chat with them and ask questions about anything from bacteria, AI and ticks to space, the climate and life beneath the sea.

“We want to bridge the gap between the people of Uppsala and the universities. Not everyone has insight into this world. Here, you can get to meet researchers, chat with them and realise that there is nothing strange or inaccessible about it,” says Katarina Holmborn Garpenstrand.

And it is precisely this opportunity for people to take part that lies at the heart of SciFest. Here, you can test, build, feel, explore and ask questions – rather than just reading about research. Here, you can experience research first-hand.

Curiosity has no age limit

Children and families take centre stage on Saturday, but SciFest is open to everyone. The hope is that visitors will leave with both new knowledge and even more questions than they came with.

“There’s so much going on at the same time that it really does feel like a festival,” says Katarina Holmborn Garpenstrand.

Laven Fathi Garcia