"Foskningsdager" begins
The Research Days festival is aimed at raising childrens' interest in science.
“Research Days” opens today at the University of Oslo.
This morning His Royal Highness Crown Prince Håkon visited University Square in Oslo, where the National Science Week 2011 opens today. The festival brings forth research into practice, and this year chemistry is the main theme.
The vast majority of events during National Science Week are free and open to all. The public can visit exhibitions, demonstrations, research, squares, debates and lectures, experiments show, and much more.
The goal is to create enthusiasm and understanding of research among the general public – and especially among children and adolescents.
Crown Prince Haakon visited several booths set up in University Square. All focus on chemistry, each in its own way, and demonstrations and “testing yourself” are important principles of mediation.
At the Department of Chemistry the Crown Prince learned about nanotechnology and self-cleaning glass, while school food and chemistry was the subject of the Research Council.
Scientists are crucial for the future, and at the mini-research desk at the Technical Museum’s building there are materials and tools for use by children of all ages, who might like to invent something.
The Norwegian Space Center deals with fuel and energy types, and Nammo Raufoss demonstrates hybrid engines for launch of space rockets. The special thing about these is that they can be turned on or off – instead of having to burn itself out once they are launched. The Crown Prince was even trying to turn a hybrid engine off and on – each time with a loud bang, much to the delight of kids around the booth.
Tora Aasland – Minister for Research and Higher Education – attended the national opening at 12 p.m. She will also share the Research Council’s award for outstanding research, which goes to chemistry professor Trygve Helgaker. The prize is NOK 250,000, and goes to a researcher who has distinguished himself with vibrant and innovative communications from his own disciplines.
Science Week is held for the seventeenth time this year, and lasts from September 23 to October 2. There will be events across the country, and local events are featured on Forskningsdagene.no.
The Research Council stands behind the festival, in cooperation with universities, colleges, research institutes, libraries, museums and businesses.
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