Key theme
Key theme: Lifelike
Life is the greatest laboratory we know. It is a continuous experiment that has been going on for billions of years – without any breaks, without a protocol or dress rehearsals. It takes place in every breath, in every leaf, in the movement of yeast in dough and in a water droplet. It is also the source of science and learning - based on our curiosity, sense of wonder and the need to understand the daily life, which is always extraordinary.
This year's Science Picnic of the Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre is an invitation to take a closer look at the world. Science is not always born in laboratories – it often starts in the kitchen, in the garden, on a walk, in a conversation between a child and an adult. It starts with a question – why does this happen?
Why kiwi jelly never sets? How is bread made? What makes us tired? How do plants breathe, why our wounds heal? These questions – seemingly simple, sometimes playful – lead us to great discoveries, as science is deeply rooted in the everyday life.
Lifelike is also the story of how biology and technology are intertwined. Nature teaches us how to create materials from algae and fungi, bioplastics, kombucha leather, and biodegradable fabrics. We grow cells and bacteria in laboratories to cure diseases; artists take advantage of biotechnology to create works with living matter. Life turns into something more than just a thing to be studied – it turns into our creative partner.
The theme of this year’s Picnic also reminds us of responsibility, the boundaries of cognition and ethics. Every innovation leads to a crucial question – we can do it, but should we? Biotechnology opens up new possibilities, but also requires humility towards the nature – the thing we grow out of and with which we coexist.
Life is a perfect teacher. Its rhythm contains the logic of evolution, the beauty of biology, harmony and constant movement. The Lifelike Science Picnic is a celebration of this fascination – the joy of discovery, amazement and participation. Because science – like life – never stands still. And that is why it is so lifelike.
Dr Katarzyna Młynek
Deputy Programme Director for Education and Science Communication at the Copernicus Science Centre
Organisers
Polskie Radio
Polskie Radio is the largest public radio broadcaster in Poland and one of the largest in Europe. Its main task is to fulfil its public service mission, namely to provide reliable information, education and the promotion of Polish culture and language. In its broadcasts, Polskie Radio offers programmes aimed at various social and age groups. The wide range of programmes covers the most important news from Poland and around the world, music, current affairs, education, as well as popular science, social and entertainment programmes. It broadcasts five nationwide stations: Jedynka, Dwójka, Trójka, Polskie Radio 24 and Polskie Radio dla Zagranicy, via the internet, apps and the DAB+ system: Czwórka, Polskie Radio Dzieciom, Polskie Radio Chopin, Polskie Radio Kierowców and Polskie Radio dla Ukrainy. The broadcaster is also a member of international organisations such as the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), giving it access to international resources and enabling it to participate in a wide-ranging cultural and information exchange with other public broadcasters. It collaborates with numerous cultural and academic institutions, organising broadcasts of concerts, festivals and literary events. Polskie Radio is committed to modernising and adapting its programming to the needs of today’s listeners. It is investing in new technologies and the development of digital platforms, enabling it to reach a wider audience. In the age of digitalisation, it is also expanding its online presence, offering programme streaming, podcasts and online news services. This year saw the launch of Polish Radio’s new streaming service, which currently offers the largest library of audio content among Polish radio stations, as well as a new version of its mobile app.
www.polskieradio.pl
Copernicus Science Centre
The Copernicus Science Centre inspires visitors to observe, experiment, ask questions and seek answers.
It is a realm of experiments, where you can find hundreds of engaging exhibits that help you discover the phenomena that govern the world.
Young children learn about nature by exploring Bzzz!, whilst teenagers and adults analyse humanity’s most pressing challenges in the exhibition ‘The Future is Today’. Everyone (regardless of age) will find something to suit them in the Experiment Zone and the Workshop, where logic, maths and construction puzzles await.
If you want to discover the secrets of working in a laboratory, you can visit up to four different ones – chemistry, biology, physics and robotics.
Copernicus Science Centre also has two theatres. At the High Voltage Theatre, electricity takes centre stage, whilst at the Robotics Theatre, the actors are humanoid robots.
A visit to the Centre is also an opportunity to watch a science show, take part in workshops held within the exhibition spaces, and meet special guests.
Under the ever-clear skies of the Planetarium, shows, concerts, lectures and film screenings take place.
History
The Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre Science Picnic is Europe’s largest outdoor science event. This annual celebration of science communicators aims to create an open, nationwide space that facilitates communication between the scientific community and the public through shared, informal experimentation and hands-on experiences. The Picnic allows visitors to discover science. It presents it as an incredibly exciting field of life, constantly evolving, and above all – equipping us with the tools to tackle the challenges of the future. Direct contact with scientists provides an opportunity for dialogue, asking questions, learning about the latest research, and seeing inventions. Younger participants can discover new passions at the Picnic, talk to university students and lecturers, and consider whether they wish to pursue a career in science. Every year, over 100 institutions from Poland and around the world take part in the Science Picnic. These include universities, research institutes, museums and cultural institutions, science centres, education-related foundations and student research societies. The event serves as an inspiration for many initiatives aimed at popularising science. More and more similar picnics are taking place around the world.
From 1997 to 2009, the Science Picnic took place in the New Town Square and Podzamcze in Warsaw; from 2010 to 2012, it was held in Marshal Edward Rydz-Śmigły Park. Since 2013, the event has been held at PGE Narodowy in Warsaw.
Od 1997 do 2009 roku Piknik Naukowy odbywał się na Rynku Nowego Miasta oraz Podzamczu w Warszawie, w latach 2010-2012 w Parku Marszałka Edwarda Rydza Śmigłego. Od 2013 roku lokalizacją imprezy jest PGE Narodowy w Warszawie.
Since 2001, the Science Picnic has had a different theme each year:
Dates and themes of the Science Picnics:
14 June 1997
Polish Radio BIS Science Picnic
6 June 1998
Polish Radio BIS Science Picnic
22 May 1999
Polish Radio BIS Science Picnic
10 June 2000
Polish Radio BIS Science Picnic
9 June 2001
Polish Radio BIS Science Picnic – “How will the world surprise us?”
8 June 2002
Polish Radio BIS Science Picnic – “What does science offer art?”
14 June 2003
Polish Radio BIS Science Picnic – “DNA: your life”
22 May 2004
Polish Radio BIS Science Picnic – “Science without borders”
4 June 2005
Polish Radio BIS Science Picnic – “Waves of Physics”, special guest – Germany
3 June 2006
Polish Radio BIS Science Picnic – “The World in 10 Years. Try to Predict the Future”, special guest – France
26 May 2007
Polish Radio BIS Science Picnic – “M4TH3M4T1C5 AND US”, special guest – the European Union
14 June 2008
Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre Science Picnic – “Discover the language of science”, special guest – Finland
30 May 2009
Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre Science Picnic – “Science Among the Stars”, special guest – the Czech Republic
12 June 2010
Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre Science Picnic – “The Great MicroWorld”, special guest – the United Kingdom
28 May 2011
Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre Science Picnic – “Freedom”, special guest – Italy
12 May 2012
Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre Science Picnic – ‘Energy’
15 June 2013
Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre Science Picnic – ‘Life’
31 May 2014
Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre Science Picnic – “Time”
9 May 2015
Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre Science Picnic – “Light”
7 May 2016
Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre Science Picnic – “Health”
3 June 2017
Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre Science Picnic – “Earth”
9 June 2018
Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre Science Picnic – “Motion”
11 May 2019
Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre Science Picnic – “Us and Machines”
online edition 8–15 May 2021
Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre Science Picnic – “Climate and Us”
21 May 2022
Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre Science Picnic – “Water”
27 May 2023
Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre Science Picnic – “Scientific Revolutions”
15 June 2024
Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre Science Picnic – “Unbelievable”
10 May 2025
Polish Radio and Copernicus Science Centre Science Picnic – “Far Out!”
