For schools

Butterfly caterpillars are among nature’s most voracious herbivores. In this hands-on activity, visitors will identify Swedish butterflies, their caterpillars, and the plants they feed on. We follow the butterflies’ life cycle and learn how researchers study the interactions between caterpillars and plants. By constructing ecological networks, participants explore how climate change and invasive species can affect biodiversity. Visitors will also have the opportunity to observe butterflies up close and see examples of the traps and methods used by researchers in their work.

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Do you know how many chemicals people manufacture and use, where they are found, and how they affect us and other animals? This is what we investigate within environmental toxicology. Here, you will learn where environmental pollutants come from and how you can avoid them. You will also try out some methods we use in our research, for example, pipetting. Also, in our workshop you can test the job of an environmental toxicologist and be challenged to uncover the cause of the catastrophic decline of a nearby animal population!

Uppsala university

This interactive experience uses engaging experiments to explain the most most fundamental process in plants: the photosynthesis. You will observe the formation of oxygen bubbles in the light, examine stomata under a microscope and more. Although some of the scientists speak a little Swedish, the instructions will mainly be given in English.

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

It is easy to take everyday objects for granted and forget that everything is made of chemicals. A beautiful way to remind ourselves of this is by observing photoluminescence in the things around us. Many household items glow when illuminated with UV light. We will explore luminescence using kitchen products, and prepare an oil mixture that glows under UV illumination. We will also prepare luminescent materials with a microwave oven. These are an experiment that can also be repeated at home!

Uppsala university

In this fun, hands-on workshop, you’ll design and build a simple moving creature using a small motor, a battery, and everyday materials. By connecting a circuit and experimenting with balance and motion, you’ll bring your own tiny “robot” to life!Along the way, you’ll learn the basics of how electricity powers movement and explore how simple components can create surprising and creative results. No prior experience needed- just curiosity and a willingness to tinker!

Have you ever wondered how to study the machinery of life (proteins)? We will take you through the exciting world of protein discovery. You will be provided with data and guided through the process of identifying a mystery protein – just like we do in the Centre for the Chemical Mechanisms of Life! You will learn how to put together the puzzle pieces to reveal the structure and sequence of the mystery protein (with mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography) and learn why the protein is important.

Uppsala university

Are you a criminal or a police officer? Or perhaps a doctor? Come and outsmart AI by using your creativity. Participants try to trick the AI system into classifying them into different professions. At the same time, they’ll see that AI can be fragile, easily misled, and heavily dependent on the data it’s been trained on. The activity is suitable for all ages, and you can join alone or in small groups. The workshop explores errors, biases, and “tricking” in machine vision-based technology. The “Breakable Machine” supports critical AI literacy by helping participants understand the limitations, risks, and societal impacts of AI systems.

No workshop, just drop-in

Generation AI project / Joensuu Science Society and University of Eastern Finland

During this workshop you will participate in an interactive presentation. Starting with some theoretical introduction on what is inside our earth and under our feet and how this is studied. You will then move into a simulated acquisition where you will help us to overcome unexpected everyday challenges that interfere with our plans to discover more about the subsurface. Hopefully with your help we will be able to complete our acquisition and see what was hidden under this thick surface.

Uppsala university