About 25,000 visitors came to today’s (Saturday, June 17, 2023) Open Day of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) that took place on KIT’s Campus North after a four-year break due to the pandemic. In bright sunshine, families, groups, and persons interested in science entered the premises of about 2 km2 at 10 am to experience excellent science. The program that contained more than 200 offerings was complemented by comedy and music performances as well as quiz shows on the stage at the end of the festive mile. KIT’s Open Day also marked the start of the Karlsruhe science festival EFFEKTE.
Photos of the Open Day can be found in this album for downloading.
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“This is a great day. After four long years of waiting, many interested people have come to us at KIT again to experience excellent science and talk to our researchers in a relaxed atmosphere,” said the President of KIT, Professor Holger Hanselka. “My cordial thanks go to the many employees and students of KIT, who, once again, have organized an attractive, substantial, and varied program. I am very happy that we have managed to successfully communicate the fascinating and dynamic world of research, academic education, and innovation, for which KIT stands.”
Varied Program with More than 200 Offerings
The more than 200 program items offered comprehensive information on a variety of topics in many different forms. Results from energy, climate, and sustainability research were turned into events as were projects on disruptive technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence or robotics. The opportunity to obtain first-hand impressions when directly talking to researchers met with great interest, for example on the area of the DeepStor Geothermal Energy Project. The “Wissen macht Spaß” (knowledge is fun) area around the Canteen also attracted many visitors. Here, institutes and facilities from other KIT campuses presented themselves.
Start of the EFFEKTE Science Festival
Around noon, President Professor Holger Hanselka and the Lord Mayor of Karlsruhe, Dr. Frank Mentrup, kicked off the Karlsruhe Science Festival EFFEKTE. Until June 25, 2023, universities and science institutions in Karlsruhe, including KIT, will present their work to the broad public.
Mentrup was highly pleased about the Open Day of the Research University in the Helmholtz Association that marked the start of this festival: “KIT’s facilities have brought central challenges of the society from their lecture halls, labs, and working rooms to Campus North to present them to all people in an entertaining and easy-to-understand way. Here, a broad public is given access to scientific findings that will influence our lives in the future. Here, KIT has excellently presented the excellence of science in Karlsruhe.”
Entertainment Program on the Show Stage
The program on the central stage also ensured a good atmosphere. Among others, science comedian Konrad Stöckel entertained the audience. The quiz show “1, 2 oder 3” captivated the kids and during the “Falling Walls Lab,” young scientists presented their research. The festive mile in front of the stage offered snacks and beverages for a break. And the Fire Department of Campus North attracted young and old with their thrilling demonstrations.
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Photos of the Open Day can be downloaded at https://mediendb.aserv.kit.edu/fotoweb/albums/ZI3BpqQ7gcF_x2e7/
The photos may be used in the context given above exclusively.
Latest videos and stories can be found on KIT’s Instagram channel
Being “The Research University in the Helmholtz Association”, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 10,000 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 22,800 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.