June 13, 2025
Night of Science: Fascinating insights
FIAS PhD student wins slam
On this wonderful summer evening, visitors were fascinated by the “Sight of Science” from the FIAS roof terrace as well as the hands-on experiments and the kicking robots. FIAS doctoral student Jonas Elpelt was the winner of the Goethe University Science Slam.
The “Skylab” on the upper floor of FIAS attracted countless visitors as part of the Night of Science. They were amazed by simple hands-on experiments on complex topics such as algorithms, particle accelerators, and neuron circuits. Not only the young guests had a lot of fun with giant soap bubbles that sailed from FIAS across the campus grounds. After their own experiments and exciting explanations by dedicated PhD students and postdocs, the guests enjoyed the wonderful FIAS terrace - and some of them didn't leave this “most beautiful spot” for the rest of the evening.
The robots kicked again in the basement: the “Bembelbots”, Goethe University's robot soccer team, practiced for the Robocup. Visitors were able to experience live how the coaches prepare and control the robots - and set them up again and again.
A science slam also took place as part of the Night of Science, where FIAS doctoral student Jonas Elpelt turned out be the winner. He conducts research in the FIAS working group on theoretical neuroscience. His presentation ‘Maps, clicks, and creativity’ explained interactive representational and cognitive maps and how creativity can be measured with psychological tests (see https://www.nature.com/articles/s44271-025-00214-9). “Contemporary science communication is very important”, emphasizes Elpelt: “Research should be accessible to everyone in order to strengthen confidence in it and make new findings easily understandable”.
In this spirit, the Night of Science has become a permanent institution in Frankfurt since its first edition 20 years ago. Over 100 lectures, guided tours, and interactive stations invited visitors to marvel and discover throughout the night. The event is aimed at science enthusiasts and curious people of all ages. As every year, the Night of Science was organized on a voluntary basis by a team of dedicated students - supported at FIAS by the entire team of the Foundation Institute.
