Magdeburg hosts two interactive science festivals

Published on 5 July 2024

During June, two interactive science festivals in Magdeburg invited the public to engage with science, research and technology. The 'Tomorrow Labs Festival' celebrated its premiere at the Port of Science in Magdeburg. Under the banner, "How do we want to live and work in the future?", the festival took a look at the future of science.

Four exciting topic areas – the so-called ‘Tomorrow Labs’ – around Health, Society, Technology, and Earth – invited visitors to discover, and to engage in conversation. Innovative research projects, exhibits, interactive experiments and exciting talks and lectures were all on show. The festival offered an exciting platform for discussions and presentations where visitors could engage directly with researchers and experts to gain insights into the social challenges and opportunities of the future.

The ‘Tomorrow Health’ lab, for example, was all about modern medical research and health technologies. This lab offered festival visitors insights into pioneering medical technologies through a variety of interactive exhibits and presentations.

The ‘Tomorrow Society’ lab focussed on the profound changes in our everyday lives and social coexistence brought about by science and current technology. Special attention was paid to the development of smart cities, the integration of artificial intelligence into everyday life, and innovative educational concepts.

At the ‘Tomorrow Technology’ lab, visitors could experience technological innovations that are being worked on in Magdeburg. This included exciting presentations and demonstrations on topics such as robotics, mobility and cyber security.

The ‘Tomorrow Earth’ lab focussed on important environmental and climate issues of our time. Scientists from the fields of environmental science and sustainable development presented innovative approaches and solutions on how research and technology can help protect the planet and promote sustainable lifestyles.

The festival took place as an alternative to the Long Night of Science, which took a break this year.

The MINT-MACHEN-Festival was designed to show how fascinating STEM is!

Two weeks after the Tomorrow Labs, schoolchildren were invited to experience for themselves that STEM can be cool, at the MINT-MACHEN Festival. The festival offered plenty of creative activities to get involved in, and experiments to marvel at, in the fields of maths, IT, science, and technology.

Visitors were able to bring robots to life, try their hand at programming and coding, or get a taste of the world of artificial intelligence.

Fifty workshops, hands-on activities and presentations by 36 exhibitors and participants ensured a packed programme over the two days, covering the diverse world of STEM. The festival has become a fixed date for schools and this year it attracted over 1200 pupils from 18 different schools.

Both events were organised by the city of Magdeburg (Team Education and Science) in cooperation with the universities and other partners. [All photos: © www.AndreasLander.de]