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 comes a moment of clarity when everything aligns and true understanding emerges. It brings an incomparable, almost transcendental pleasure, like a comforting embrace from the universe, when you solve a scientific problem.
However, many of us allow that joy to fade as challenges grow more demanding. I have personally faced the difficulty of distinguishing between mere memorization and genuine comprehension. This is particularly evident in the exact sciences, where both knowledge and consistent practice are crucial to avoid losing ground. In such moments, I have found that immersing myself in scientific work is immensely rewarding and provides deep satisfaction. Throughout my personal development, I have realized that sharing knowledge with others is my second most important calling, after being an inquisitive scientist.
I enjoy popularizing knowledge in the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) for several reasons. First, I find the sciences endlessly fascinating and believe that understanding them is vital 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 fields further.
Second, I believe that scientific literacy is essential for making informed decisions in our increasingly complex world. By breaking down difficult concepts and presenting them in an accessible way, I aim to bridge the gap between experts and the general public. Through science communication, I hope to empower individuals to engage with scientific ideas, ask meaningful questions, and form their own opinions based on evidence and critical thinking.
Furthermore, I find great fulfillment in witnessing others’ curiosity and excitement awakened by the wonders of the natural world. By making science engaging, I aim to spark a sense of wonder and inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. By presenting practical applications and real-life examples, I strive to show the relevance and impact of these disciplines in everyday life.
Lastly, I believe that the dissemination of scientific knowledge nurtures a more informed and enlightened society. By promoting an appreciation for evidence-based reasoning and the scientific method, we can foster a more rational and analytical approach to solving problems. This, in turn, may lead to progress across various fields and help address the pressing global challenges of our time.
I would like to emphasize that the safety of participants in all activities I conduct and organize is always my highest priority. Even the most spectacular experiments are performed in ways that minimize all potential risks.
In 2011, I founded my very own project, WeirdScience, driven by a deep passion for sharing knowledge of the exact sciences, including biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, and electronics, with all enthusiasts. As a result, the website www.weirdscience.eu was created, showcasing a wide range of engaging and educational experiments. Every piece of content and every experiment presented on the site has been personally verified and tested by me. The project continues to grow, reflecting my ongoing commitment to its development and to inspiring scientific curiosity in others.
A picture is worth a thousand words, but a video is worth a thousand pictures. That is why, on my YouTube channel, I occasionally upload videos that complement and expand upon the experiments presented 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 festival has also received the “Golden Rose,” the first prize awarded during the EUPRIO (European Association of Communication Professionals in Higher Education) conference, as well as the team category award in the 2020 “Popularizer of Science” competition, organized by the Ministry of Education and Science together with 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)
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8th Edition - Explore, Discover, Innovate – A Celebration of Science and Curiosity!
At this year's Silesian Science Festival, I was honored with a nomination for the Pop Science Award. It was a truly wonderful experience!
Katowice (12.07-09.2023)
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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| 19th Edition Zabrze (12.10.2023) |
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I deeply enjoy sharing my knowledge and ideas with teachers, especially when it comes to promoting engaging STEM education. Working with educators gives me the opportunity to exchange perspectives, enrich teaching methods, and inspire students’ curiosity. Together, we create a dynamic learning environment where scientific concepts come alive, igniting a passion for the wonders of mathematics, physics, and chemistry. The joy of shared exploration continues to drive my commitment to advancing STEM education.
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| From the announcement of my lecture: How can we restore the balance between theory and empiricism in science education? The answer lies in integrating more experimental work into school and university curricula. Inspiration often arises from unexpected places and situations. During the lecture, a passionate advocate of science and promoter of chemistry, biology, and physics will share their reflections on this subject. |
| '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 take great pleasure in organizing engaging extracurricular activities for those who show exceptional curiosity. Offering them unique learning experiences brings me immense joy and fulfillment as someone truly devoted to 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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In addition to face-to-face meetings with knowledge-hungry audiences, an important part of my outreach work is writing articles published in the press. You can find a bibliography of my popular science publications here.
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| A collage featuring the covers of several journals where my popular science articles have been published | |
For more information, please visit www.weirdscience.eu. You can also contact me by email (moze.dzis@gmail.com).
