Public Science Festivals
Universities nationwide host public science festivals to build community trust and engagement
Anonymous
Universities are using public science festivals to make research accessible and strengthen ties with their communities. Lorestan University in Iran plans to hold a national Science Night in December 2026, featuring public-friendly talks, workshops, research exhibits and interactive activities. In Chicago, the fifth annual South Side Science Festival drew thousands for more than 130 hands-on activities, with organizers emphasizing community engagement, answering questions and building trust in science. The University of Colorado Colorado Springs’ 17th annual Cool Science Carnival Day likewise brought families to campus for demonstrations and activities spanning science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
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Lorestan University’s Science Night is being planned with support from the National Science Foundation of Iran; organizers say details about the schedule and registration will be published through the university’s official information channels.
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The South Side Science Festival was inspired by Germany’s Long Night of Sciences, where universities and research labs open their doors to the public, but its organizers adapted the idea to focus specifically on Chicago’s South Side communities.
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Organizer Luke Dyer said the Chicago festival was also conceived in response to fears and distrust in medicine after the initial COVID-19 outbreak, with the aim of bringing people in to see university research and ask scientists questions.
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At UCCS, activities included a Colorado Tinkering School booth where children tried power tools, a Civil Air Patrol rocket-building and launch station, and a glider cockpit brought by the U.S. Air Force Academy Soaring Program.
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