SCIoI Activities at the Long Night of the Sciences 2024
Inter-cluster Collaboration Brings Science to Life at the “Excellent Pub Quiz”
On 22 June, 2024, the “Excellent Pub Quiz” at the Long Night of the Sciences, held at TU Berlin, showcased the collaborative power of Berlin’s seven Clusters of Excellence. This annual event seamlessly combined education with entertainment, creating a dynamic platform for science communication and public engagement. Organized by the Berlin Clusters of Excellence, including Science of Intelligence (SCIoI), the quiz brought together 39 teams and about 130 participants, who competed in two rounds of intellectually stimulating questions derived from the clusters’ research fields. The evening entertained and educated the public on cutting-edge scientific topics in an accessible and engaging format.
The seven Clusters of Excellence—spanning fields from applied mathematics (MATH+), intelligence research (SCIoI), catalysis and green chemistry (UniSysCat), liberal democracy (SCRIPTS), material research (Matters of Activity), neuroscience (NeuroCure), and world literature (Temporal Communities)—demonstrated how interdisciplinary collaboration can enhance public understanding of science. By working together, the clusters showcased a wide array of topics, highlighting Berlin’s role as a hub for scientific research. The “Excellent Pub Quiz” showcased the mission of SCIoI and the other clusters to democratize knowledge and promote inclusivity in science. Events like this ensure that research doesn’t remain confined to academia but reaches a broader audience, empowering informed decision-making and fostering curiosity.
The quiz kicked off in the evening, where creatively named teams eagerly signed up to participate. Questions ranged from the financial investments in quantum technology development to the origins of “Tropical Geometry,” challenging participants and sparking discussions. Participants engaged with the questions that spanned the research fields of all seven clusters, leaving with new insights, fun facts, and perhaps a spark to explore scientific paths themselves.
The event highlighted the value of fun in learning, bridging the gap between complex scientific research and public understanding. The “Excellent Pub Quiz” serves as an effective science communication tool, blending serious academic content with a playful approach. Participants had the opportunity to further explore the clusters’ research through an info desk and a poster session. This initiative ensures that the public can directly interact with the scientific community, promoting transparency and inclusivity in scientific discourse.
As we look forward to next year’s event, the “Excellent Pub Quiz” emphasizes of how science can be both educational and entertaining, inviting everyone to join in the excitement of discovery. See you at the Long Night of the Sciences 2025!
Photo credit: ©Kay Herschelmann / MATH+
The Mouse Lockbox Project at Freie Universität Berlin
In addition to the quiz, SCIoI members Anne Jaap, PI Lars Lewejohann and Paul Mieske hosted a second engaging activity at Freie Universität Berlin in Dahlem. This interactive session, primarily aimed at children, allowed visitors to solve lockbox puzzles similar to those used in SCIoI’s research on mouse intelligence. These larger-scale lockboxes contained small sweets as rewards, captivating the young participants and providing a hands-on learning experience.
This activity offered educational conversations about environmental enrichment, intelligence testing, and the well-being of mice. Additionally, Christa Thöne-Reineke, SCIoI PI and member of the executive board, and her team provided informational material on animal welfare regulations, the 3R principles (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement), and the role of animal welfare. Additionally, the Mouse Grimace Scale was presented in a small matching game, where visitors used the scale to determine the emotional state of mice depicted in photos.
Visitors also engaged in discussions about the ethical considerations of animal research, addressing critical questions and providing insights into SCIoI’s research practices.
Photo credit: ©SCIoI/FU Berlin/Anne Jaap
