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On September 26, the European Researchers’ Night will take place under the motto “Discover the researcher gene within yourself”. The event invites everyone to experiment, explore, and discover — including in Jelgava, where educational institutions will open their doors to the world of science. From 6 PM to 10 PM, the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies will offer various activities. From 5 PM to 8 PM, Jelgava Technology Secondary School will host creative STEM-related activities, while from 5 PM to 8 PM, the Zemgale Regional Competence Development Centre will welcome preschool and primary school students to develop their curiosity and investigative skills.

Everyday Life of Scientists at the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies

The university program will showcase the daily life of researchers – from experiments in food science, chemistry, and biology to demonstrations in engineering, veterinary medicine, forestry, and digital technologies. Science will be presented in a creative environment across several locations, with the main events traditionally centered around Jelgava Palace and its courtyard. Visitors can explore the university’s study programs, take part in an educational interests quiz, capture moments at a photo corner, view a student model exhibition titled “Transformations of Jelgava’s Residential Quarters”, and visit the foyer art gallery to see Dace Štrausa’s painting exhibition “Horses in the Palace”.

The World of Chemistry and Molecular Gastronomy

At 2 Lielā Street, various faculties will present interactive stations. For example, the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Technology will offer the chance to distinguish between weed and crop seeds, discover the world of mint, taste mint-based products, and make body scrubs. In the “Wonderful World of Chemistry”, participants can create volcanoes, lava lamps, and elephant toothpaste. At the “Food Detective” activity, guests can observe food under a microscope, use natural indicators to change colors, identify Latvian food companies, and win delicious prizes in games. The molecular gastronomy workshop will surprise visitors with the secrets of foam creation and other food science wonders.

Animal Anatomy

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (also at Lielā Street 2) will offer thematic activities to help visitors step into the role of scientists. For instance, participants can guess which animal a particular skull belongs to. The game “Parasite or Pest?” will highlight the differences between organisms, while “Where Do Bacteria Hide?” will show what is needed to detect bacteria and uncover what they cause. A creative workshop will invite visitors to design or draw entirely new microorganisms.

The Life Cycle of Objects – From Raw Materials to Recycling

The Faculty of Economics and Social Development will also host workshops (at Lielā Street 2), encouraging logical thinking and ingenuity. At “Sociologist’s Microscope”, participants will explore sociological research methods. The interactive game “Product Life Cycle Puzzle” will help uncover the journey of everyday items – like a T-shirt, coffee mug, mobile phone, or plastic bottle – from raw material extraction to disposal.

Textile Innovations and DIY Fashion

Demonstrating how creativity and technology intersect, researchers from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies will be at 5 Jānis Čakste Boulevard. Visitors can try different embroidery techniques and see how traditional handcrafts become modern textile innovations. If you bring a piece of your own clothing, you can customize it with new designs. The Drone Lab will showcase various unmanned aerial vehicles, with demonstrations and quizzes for enthusiasts.

Discovering the Story of the Oak Tree and Testing Wood Strength

The Faculty of Forest and Environmental Sciences believes science should improve our surroundings. In the courtyard of the palace, participants can explore the significance of oak trees in daily life and traditions. In the faculty’s park (11 Akademijas Street), visitors can find their inner “#dendro gene” — connecting with trees in playful and sensory ways. Practical workshops include building a life-sized Da Vinci bridge, testing wood strength, and learning about the latest land surveying and geospatial technologies like GNSS, laser scanning, and digital total stations.

Phosphorus, Remote Sensing, and Robotic Vehicles

The variety of scientific experiences continues with remote sensing demonstrations, explanations about vertical movements of the Earth’s crust in the Baltic Sea region, and their impact on Latvia. Children and adults alike can become phosphorus hunters, exploring natural sources and the element’s role in ecosystems. The hydroponics game introduces growing plants without soil. The “Knowledge Wheel” activity will present water quality monitoring and methods for improvement. Tech enthusiasts can explore virtual and augmented reality, student innovations, and try out robotic vehicle control. These events will take place at Lielā Street 2 and Akademijas Street 11.

Spotting Saturn and Venus

From 5 PM to 8 PM, Jelgava Technology Secondary School (Meiju Street 9) will host various STEM experiments. Participants can build their own hologram projector, join chemistry experiments, or construct a paper rocket and launch it using pneumatic equipment. From the age of nine, visitors can learn to fly and land drones, even maneuvering them through obstacle courses. Astronomy fans can check out school telescopes, and once darkness falls, attempt to spot Saturn and Venus.

Superhero Experiments at Zemgale Regional Competence Development Centre

To inspire children’s interest in science and develop their investigative and creative skills, Zemgale Regional Competence Development Centre (33 Svētes Street) will host activities from 5 PM to 8 PM for preschool and primary school children with their parents. Young scientists can enjoy the “Superhero Experiments” science show (at 5 PM and 6 PM), conduct experiments explaining superpowers, work in superhero labs, and take on an exciting color mission. These and many other activities are being organized in collaboration with educational institutions across the city.

The full Researchers’ Night program in Jelgava will be published on each institution’s website:

www.lbtu.lv,  www.jtv.lv, www.zrkac.lv

A comprehensive overview of events in Jelgava and across Latvia is available at: www.researchlatvia.gov.lv.