POP science time!
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| Isaac Asimov |
| professor of biochemistry and s-f writer |
by Marek Ples
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| Isaac Asimov |
| professor of biochemistry and s-f writer |
There's a moment of realization when everything falls into place, and you truly understand it. It brings incomparable, almost transcendental pleasure, like a comforting hug from the universe, when you solve a scientific problem.
However, many of us let that joy fade away as things get tougher. I've personally faced the challenge of distinguishing between simply memorizing information and genuinely comprehending concepts. This is especially evident in exact sciences, where knowledge as well as consistent practice as is crucial to avoid falling through the cracks. In such situations, I've discovered that immersing myself in the scientific work is immensely helpful and provides a great deal of satisfaction. During my own personal development thus far, I have come to the realization that sharing knowledge with others is my second most important calling, after being a inquisitive scientist.
I enjoy popularizing knowledge in the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) for several reasons. Firstly, I find the sciences fascinating and believe that understanding them is crucial for a well-rounded education. By sharing my knowledge and passion for disciplines such as chemistry, biology, biomedical engineering, and physics, I hope to inspire others to explore these disciplines further.
Secondly, I believe that scientific literacy is essential for making informed decisions in our increasingly complex world. By breaking down complex concepts and presenting them in a more accessible manner, I aim to bridge the gap between experts and the general public. Through popularization, I hope to empower individuals to engage with scientific ideas, ask questions, and form their own opinions based on evidence and critical thinking.
Furthermore, I find great satisfaction in seeing others' curiosity and excitement sparked by the wonders of the natural world. By making science engaging, I hope to ignite a sense of wonder and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. By sharing practical applications and real-life examples, I aim to demonstrate the relevance and impact of these disciplines in our daily lives.
Lastly, I believe that the dissemination of scientific knowledge fosters a more informed and enlightened society. By promoting an appreciation for evidence-based reasoning and scientific methods, we can encourage a more rational and analytical approach to problem-solving. This, in turn, can lead to advancements in various fields and help address some of the pressing challenges we face as a global community.
I want to emphasize that the safety of participants in all activities conducted and organized by me is always the top priority. Even the most spectacular experiments are conducted in a manner that maximally reduces all risks.
In 2011, I founded my own private project, WeirdScience, with the fervent goal of sharing my knowledge in the field of exact sciences, including biology, chemistry, physics, as well as astronomy and electronics, with all enthusiasts. As a result, the website www.weirdscience.eu came into existence, featuring a plethora of diverse and captivating experiments. It is essential to note that all the content and experiments showcased on the website have been meticulously verified and tested by me. The project continues to evolve as I remain dedicated to its growth and the dissemination of scientific curiosity.
A picture is worth a thousand words, but a video is worth a thousand pictures. Therefore, on my YouTube channel, I occasionally upload videos that complement the content posted on www.weirdscience.eu.
Example video from my channel
The Silesian Science Festival KATOWICE is a member of the European Science Engagement Association (EUSEA). The ŚFN was also awarded the ‘Golden Rose’, i.e. the first prize during the EUPRIO (European Association of Communication Professionals in Higher Education) conference, as well as the prize in the team category of Popularizer of Science 2020 organised by the Ministry of Education and Science and the Science in Poland website of the Polish Press Agency.
5th Edition - my presentation about biologically inspired engineering;
Introduction by Dr Agata Daszkowska-Golec, Professor of the University of Silesia
Katowice (10.10.2021)
6th Edition - my lecture on self-organization in living and non-living systems
Katowice (12.04-05.2022)
6th Edition - the opportunity to discuss after giving the lecture is always a pleasure
Katowice (12.04-05.2022)
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7th Edition - Lectures, workshops, demonstrations and more;
The guests were intrigued by, among other things, my biomechanical hand with special features
Katowice (12.09-11.2023)
The Silesian University of Technology is the scientific heart of Silesia, and the inhabitants of the region are an integral part of the University. Therefore, they participate with commitment in the largest university of technology popular science event - Researchers’ Night of the Silesian University of Technology.
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| 15th Edition Zabrze (10.10.2020) |
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| 16th Edition Zabrze (09.10.2021) |
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| 17th Edition Zabrze (08.10.2022) |
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| 18th Edition Zabrze (07.10.2023) |
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I highly enjoy sharing my knowledge and ideas with teachers, especially when it comes to fostering engaging STEM education. Collaborating with educators allows me to exchange perspectives, enrich teaching approaches, and inspire students' curiosity. Together, we create a dynamic learning environment where scientific concepts come to life, sparking a passion for the wonders of math, physics, and chemistry. The joy of collaborative exploration fuels my dedication to enhancing STEM education.
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| From the announcement of my lecture: How to restore the balance between theory and empiricism in natural sciences education? The answer lies in introducing more experiments into school and university practices; inspirations can often be found in surprising places and situations. During the lecture, a science enthusiast and promoter of topics in chemistry, biology, and physics will share their ideas in this field. |
| 'Naturalist Academy', Poznań (11.20.2021) |
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| Laboratory: how proud that sounds! 'Naturalist Academy', Poznań (11.20.2021) |
I have a deep passion for teaching my students and I take great pleasure in organizing intriguing extra activities for those who show exceptional interest. Providing them with unique learning experiences brings me immense joy and fulfillment as a person dedicated to the science.
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Zabrze (04.08.2022) |
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| Fire, clock reactions, chemiluminescence, and more Zabrze (06.11.2022) |
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| That was energetic! Zabrze (12.09.2022) |
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| Open Day with my students Zabrze (03.23.2023) |
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| Cooperative robot and stacking plastic cups? No problem Zabrze (02.22.2024) |
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Introducing scientific thinking in early education is crucial as it ignites young minds, fostering curiosity and analytical skills. It equips students with skills to analyze, evaluate, and make informed decisions. Collaborating with schools and educational institutions allows me to inspire a love for learning, promote scientific inquiry, and contribute to fostering well-rounded individuals who can thrive in an increasingly complex and knowledge-driven world. It is a true joy, as we can collectively nurture these seeds of inquiry, nurturing a garden of science. For these reasons, I gladly accepted the invitation and conducted STEM classes for elementary and high school students.
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| Christmas mood and scientific excitement! Częstochowa (12.16.2016) |
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| Fascinating flame Łódź (02.08.2017) |
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| Work safety above all! Brzydów, Ostróda (02.24.2017) |
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| Playing with fire and ultraviolet - it's always fun Leszno (03.17.2017) |
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| Master of the Fires Jaworzno (09.19.2017) |
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| Dry ice and artificial clouds Pilchowice (09.30.2017) |
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| This will never get boring... Stryszawa (11.21.2017) |
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| A bit of interesting chemistry! Kamienica Polska (03.23.2019) |
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| Science can be fun for everyone Gołysz (06.18.2019) |
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| Science or fun? It's all the same Lądek-Zdrój (03.02-03.2020) |
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Biomimetic robots are something that students always enjoy |
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| Teaching through experiments was enjoyed by all the students; the miniature Tesla coil especially captured their interest Jaworzno (03.09.2022) |
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| This time the fun was really explosive Piotrków Trybunalski (03.08.2024) |
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Besides face-to-face meetings with knowledge-hungry people, an important aspect of my outreach work is writing articles published in the press. You can find a bibliography of my popular science works here.
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| The collage made of some journals covers where my pop-sci articles have been published | |
For more information, please visit www.weirdscience.eu. You can also contact me by email (moze.dzis@gmail.com).
