RWTH Science Night will celebrate its 20th edition on November 8. Physicist Markus Morgenstern has been involved since its inception.
Over the years, RWTH Science Night has evolved into one of the most significant events in Aachen and the local area, attracting several thousand visitors of all’ages every year. On Friday, November 8, 2024, the University will proudly host the RWTH Science Night "5 to 12" for the 20th time. Presenting science in an unusual format at an unconventional hour once a year and turning this Friday evening into a unique entertainment experience was the idea when the doors of the Kármán Auditorium first opened for five events before midnight in 2003. One of the scholars involved in shaping Science Night from the very beginning is Professor Markus Morgenstern, Chair of Experimental Physics (Solid State Physics). The physicist and his colleagues are once again setting up a physics fair at the C.A.R.L. Lecture Hall Complex this year. In this interview, he explains why it is important to bring science to life in this way:
Why do you and the RWTH physicists participate in an initiative like Science Night?
Morgenstern: I truly enjoy seeing how physics concepts are enthusiastically received, especially by young attendees. It’s a testament to the success of our physics fair concept, which has been a hit year after year.
Why is it so important to present your discipline in a fun, engaging, and accessible manner?
Morgenstern: It is always important to get people excited, and when that excitement extends to the foundation of our work - utilizing the scientific approach to solving problems - all the better.
Morgenstern: I believe it is often less important to delve into the specifics of one’s own research - details that may be difficult for those without prior knowledge to grasp - than it is to illustrate how research operates and how it leads to significant outcomes. This is the essence of Science Night. Of course, there is no reason not to present concrete research findings. However, these should ideally connect directly to real-world applications.
What are your thoughts and feelings about Science Night? Are there any particular experiences or moments that stick with you?
Morgenstern: Yes, there are moments like that. The year before last, I ran the so-called flame tube with music, and after I finished performing at 1:00am, a young man came up to me and told me that he would love to see this at a classical concert. That really touched me. It’s always the small moments that stay with you, including the shining eyes of young attendees who have grasped specific experiments.
What can visitors to this year’s Science Night expect from physics?
Morgenstern: We are sticking with the physics fair concept. So, once again, we will have flame experiments, high-voltage experiments, acoustic experiments, mechanical experiments, experiments with the phyphox app, and experiments to detect high-energy particles in the atmosphere.
For more information about the event and to download the program, we encourage you to visit the Science Night webpage.
