Science Day 2026

WhereIPN Locations: Kiel University's Audimax and RBZ Wirtschaft Kiel // Germany

Contact NameHeidrun Petersen

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Organiser

›› KielRegion GmbH in cooperation with the universities and research institutions in the KielRegion

Program

On Science Day, universities and research institutions from the Kiel region will provide exciting insights into their research and innovations at eight locations throughout Kiel. There will be over 100 activities. Through hands-on experiments, lab tours, workshops, exhibitions, scientific demonstrations, and lectures, participants can experience, understand, and help shape science.

The IPN, the Kiel Science Outreach Lab (KiFo), and the Student Research Center Kiel Science Workshop (SFZ) will be represented at two locations with the following activities:

// Kiel University's Audimax - Christian-Albrechts-Platz 2:

  • Dr. Stephanie Schmidt-Gattung, IPN 
    Exhibition and hands-on activity / 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
    "The Science Olympiads"
    Six student competitions bring young people together and inspire a passion for the natural sciences. Get to know them and test your talent!
  • Lukas Scheppach, IPN 
    Hands-on activity / 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
    "How Do Machines Actually Learn?”
    Discover and experience various machine learning strategies in the IPN’s digital AI lab.
  • Antonia Grubert, SFZ 
    Exhibition, presentation / 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
    "Teens present their research projects from the Kiel Science Outreach Lab"
    Learn more about the Student Research Center, meet young researchers in person, and discover their exciting projects.

// RBZ Wirtschaft Kiel - Westring 444:

  • Dr. Marc Wilken, IPN 
    Exhibition, hands-on activity, presentation / 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
    “STEM in the Professional World”
    Career guidance in STEM education from elementary school through high school graduation
  • KiFo Team, KiFo
    Hands-on activity / 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
    “Hands-On Activities from the Kiel Science Outreach Lab”
    The team from the Kiel Science Outreach Lab invites everyone interested to enjoy a wide range of hands-on activities and informative experiences.
  • Dr. Hanna Rosigkeit, KiFo/life:labor
    Hands-on activity, exhibition / 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
    “Exciting Insights into the Structure and Function of the Senses”
    Young and old alike are invited to test their sensory skills at various hands-on stations.
  • Frank Lüthjohann, KiFo/nawi:werft
    Hands-on activity / 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
    “Dive into the world of sensor technology and robotics”
    During the hands-on activities, participants can program an Ozobot mini-robot or an Arduino.
  • Science Comes to Town Team 
    Poster presentation / 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
    “Co-Creation: Your Everyday Life. Your Ideas. Collaborative Science.”
    Research projects by citizens: Science Comes to Town demonstrates how co-creation works and invites visitors to explore, ask questions, and share ideas. – including the co-creation project “Our Scientist of the Month” by the NaturSpielpädagogik e. V. network in Kiel, facilitated by the IPN’s Dr. Anneke Steegh.

Participation and Activities

Admission is free at all locations. Free shuttle buses are available to facilitate travel between event venues. Bicycles from the Sprottenflotte can also be rented free of charge using a voucher code. (see program, page 7)

The locations RBZ Wirtschaft Kiel and Kiel University's Audimax will offer a puzzle rally for children in addition to the official program. (see program, page 10)

Additional Information

The Science Day 2026 in the KielRegion is part of the Europe-wide European Researchers’ Night and is funded by the European Union under the HORIZON EUROPE framework program for research and innovation. This year, an anniversary event will take place in Kiel to mark the KielRegion’s 10th participation in European Researchers’ Night and the 30th anniversary of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.

Where? Kiel University Audimax / Christian-Albrechts-Platz 2
When? September 25th 2026 / 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. / Featuring the following guests:

  • Vanessa Debiais-Sainton
    Head of Department Marie Sktodowska-Curie Actions,
    Support to Experts European Research Executive Agency (REA)
  • Dr. Samet Yilmaz
    Mayor, State Capital Kiel
  • Robert Semkow
    Managing Director, KielRegion GmbH