Fahrenheit Universities, that is the Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk University of Technology and University of Gdańsk, together with Hevelianum and partners, on Sunday turned Góra Gradowa into a unique scientific town. The picnic, under the patronage of the famous Gdańsk scientist Daniel Fahrenheit, attracted not only employees of the universities and their families, but also many residents of Gdańsk.
Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit, creator of the temperature scale and inventor of the mercury thermometer, is one of Gdańsk's most eminent scientists and the patron of Fahrenheit Universities. Organised by GUMed, PG and UG, the Fahrenheit Science Picnic, which took place on Sunday at the Hevelianum, was part of the Fahrenheit Day celebrations connected with the 336th anniversary of his birth.
- 'We would like the birth anniversary of Daniel Fahrenheit, an outstanding scientist and patron of our universities, to be an opportunity to establish a new science festival in Gdańsk - the Fahrenheit Day. Juwenalia Gdańskie are behind us, a special tram has set off on the tracks, together with the city of Gdańsk we have worked out a new formula of scholarships, and today we invite you to celebrate together and have fun,' - said prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynska, Director of the Association of Fahrenheit Universities, opening the picnic. - 'On the one hand, it is an opportunity to integrate the staff of the three universities, although many of them already work closely together on a daily basis, and on the other hand, it is our invitation addressed to the residents of Gdańsk. We invite you to discover the wonderful world of science.'
In her speech, the director of the FarU also thanked the partners of the event: - 'Thank you for your support in organising today's picnic: Hevelianum, the City of Gdańsk, the Self-Government of the Pomeranian Voivodeship and the Gdańsk International Fair.'
During the inauguration of the event, representing the Pomeranian self-government authorities Józef Sarnowski, a member of the Pomeranian Voivodship Board stressed the importance of establishing the Fahrenheit University in Gdańsk.
- 'In the opinion of the voivodeship self-government, the establishment of the Daniel Fahrenheit Association of Universities [now the Fahrenheit Universities - ed.] is one of the most important events in the academic history of Gdańsk. It is extremely important to promote Gdańsk as a strong academic centre,' - said Józef Sarnowski.
Paweł Golak, in turn, the Director of Hevelianum invited everyone to have fun together. - 'I am very happy that today Fahrenheit and Hevelius invite you to a common science celebration. I am very glad that we are doing it together,' - he emphasised.
Plenty of attractions for everyone
The science town, which was set up on the premises of the Hevelianum, was divided into four zones: fun with attractions for children, sport, shows with spectacular demonstrations and experiments. The latter consisted of as many as 40 tents where researchers, PhD students and students of three universities presented their knowledge of medicine, science or ecology.
Adults could, among other things, take free tests or measurements, while younger visitors could learn about the laws of physics governing football and make their own eco-friendly washing powder, and everyone could learn first aid and broaden their knowledge in various fields of science. There were also impressive science shows and dance and vocal performances, as well as a reconstructed field kitchen with traditional pea soup and colourful candyfloss.
The picnic ended with a musical and theatrical show inspired by Daniel Fahrenheit. During the event, which lasted several hours, hundreds of people constantly passed through the picnic town.
The picnic, together with Juwenalia Gdańskie - the biggest student festival in northern Poland, which took place on May 21, was part of the Fahrenheit Day celebrations organised by Fahrenheit Universities together with the City of Gdańsk. Moreover, on May 24, on the 336th anniversary of Fahrenheit's birthday, a special tram set off on the tracks of Gdańsk, which for the next year will promote the idea of integrating the leading universities of Gdańsk. What is more, in agreement with the Fahrenheit Universities, a new formula of scientific scholarships named after Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit and awarded since 2005 by the Mayor of Gdańsk was worked out.
From the University of Gdańsk involved in the picnic were:
from the Faculty of Chemistry: Scientific Club of Chemical Business; Scientific Club of Environmental Protection; Scientific Club of Chemists, Club of Speech Therapists; Department of Environmental Technology, Scientific Club of Speech Therapy from the Faculty of Philology and ACK ALTERNATOR Vocal Studio. Thank you!
Partners of the event were: Hevelianum, Marshal's Office of Pomorskie Voivodeship, Gdańsk International Fair and the City of Gdańsk.
Patronage of honour was taken by: Dariusz Drelich, Voivode of Pomorskie Voivodeship, Mieczysław Struk, Marshall of Pomorskie Voivodeship and Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Mayor of Gdańsk.
Reports from the picnic appeared, among others, in Dziennik Bałtycki and Panorama on TVP3 Gdańsk.
Prof. Adriana Zaleska-Medynska was a guest on 'Dzień Dobry Tu Gdańsk' programme, where she talked about the picnic, Fahrenheit Day celebration and the idea of establishing the Fahrenheit University.
