On September 25, the annual celebration of STEM professionals and enthusiasts – the European Researchers' Night – will take place throughout Latvia, including at the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL). We invite you to embark on an exciting scientific adventure: to experience, try, taste, and see for yourself how amazing physics can be!
This year, Researchers' Night at ISSP UL is taking place as part of the University of Latvia's "Aurora Nexus" project. The overarching theme is "Between Molecules and Colors," so prepare for colorful experiments, unexpected discoveries, and surprises that will allow you to look at science in a completely different way.
On the institute's premises and surrounding territory (8 Ķengaraga Street, Riga) from 17:00 to 21:00, families with children, school & university students, and all visitors will be able to enjoy very real physics wonders across a wide scientific spectrum:
LIGHT AND MATTER
- Look at the world through different eyes – try UV and visible light games.
- Test for yourself how much thermoelectricity you can produce and learn how a spectrometer works.
- Find out the true potential of hydrogen and solar energy.
VOICES OF ATOMS
- Ignite hydrogen bubbles and prepare for a loud pop!
- Participate in the LACISE project quiz on hydrogen.
- Challenge yourself in the video game zone by searching for chemical elements and testing your quantum intuition.
THE ART OF DATA
- Solve science riddles, find the key, and beat the escape room.
- Find out how new materials can be modeled using a computer.
- Become a shadow detective and discover what shadows can tell us about materials.
LIVING IN THE FUTURE
- Imagine a cleaner environment – experience a simulation of how we might purify water from petroleum products in the future.
- A light computer: myth or reality? Learn the secrets of integrated photonics and how light could power the computers of tomorrow.
- On a hot summer day, a window dims itself to cool your room – how will smart windows work in the future?
SCIENCE STAGE
- Prepare for a science explosion – a breathtaking science show featuring hot and cold interactions, fire tricks, the power of helium, and other physics wonders!
- Taste the science – enjoy glowing drinks and smoking treats frozen in liquid nitrogen.
Everyone will find something exciting at ISSP UL this evening! Come and not only learn but experience science yourself. Get to know the research environment, discover how breakthroughs are made, and see what a colorful and surprising role science plays in our daily lives.
See you at Researchers' Night at ISSP UL – where molecules meet colors, and science becomes an adventure!
- Event Language: Latvian. If necessary, activities and information will also be provided in English.
- Event Time: 17:00 to 21:00 (visitors are kindly requested to arrive by 20:30).
- Location: Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL), 8 Ķengaraga Street, Riga.
- Getting There: The event can be reached on foot, by public transport (Tram 7, stop "Ķengaraga iela"), or by private car.
- Accessibility: The venue is fully accessible to people with mobility impairments. An elevator is available.
- Registration: Prior registration is not required. School groups are invited to apply in advance by emailing: info@lu.cfi.lv
- Contact Information: info@lu.cfi.lv, Līga Ūdre +371 25616135
Supported by Aurora Nexus project, SWEB project, FeLow-D project, LACISE project, BioPhoT platform, and the ISSP UL Foundation.
The 2026 European Researchers' Night at the University of Latvia, ISSP UL, and other affiliated institutions is being implemented for the first time with the support of the European Commission through the "Aurora Nexus: Connecting People, Science, and Art" project. The event program is based on the New European Bauhaus approach, which encourages finding new points of contact between science, art, technology, and society.
Visitors are invited to both observe and actively participate – experimenting, discussing, creating, and exploring current scientific topics together with researchers.
