KIT 2023 Open Day

About 25,000 visitors attended the Open House of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) today, Saturday, which took place on the KIT North Campus after a break of four years due to the pandemic. In bright sunshine, families, groups, and all science enthusiasts flocked to the two-square-kilometer site in the Hardtwald from 10:00 a.m. to experience excellent science at first hand. The program of more than 200 individual events was rounded off by comedy, music, and quiz shows as well as a festival mile. The KIT Open House also marked the start of the Karlsruhe EFFEKTE science festival.

"This is a particularly nice day when, after four long years, so many interested people have come to us at KIT again to experience excellent science with their own senses in a relaxed atmosphere and to exchange ideas with our researchers," said KIT President Professor Holger Hanselka. "I would like to express my sincere thanks to the many KIT employees and students who have once again put together an appealing, substantial, and diversified program. I am very pleased that we have been so successful in communicating the exciting and dynamic world of research, teaching, and innovation for which KIT stands."

Diverse program with more than 200 offers

The more than 200 individual program items offered comprehensive information on a wide range of topics in varied forms of presentation. Findings from the fields of energy, climate and sustainability research were just as much a part of the event as projects on disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence or robotics. The opportunity to form one's own impression in uncomplicated dialog with researchers met with enormous approval, for example at the drilling site of the DeepStor geothermal project. The "Wissen macht Spaß" area around the casino, where institutes and facilities of the other KIT sites presented themselves, was also very popular.

Starting Shot for EFFEKTE Science Festival

At noon, President Professor Holger Hanselka and Karlsruhe Mayor Dr. Frank Mentrup jointly opened the EFFEKTE science festival. Until June 25, 2023, Karlsruhe universities and scientific institutions - including KIT with further offers - will present their work to a broad public.

Mayor Mentrup was enthusiastic about the start of the festival at the research university in the Helmholtz Association: "In an entertaining way and easily understandable for everyone, the KIT institutions have brought central social questions and challenges concerning our universe from the lecture halls, laboratories, and workrooms to the North Campus. And thus made scientific findings that will influence our coexistence in the future accessible to a broad audience. The excellence of the Karlsruhe scientific cosmos has been emphatically played on by KIT."

Colorful Program on the Show Stage

In addition, the program on the central show stage ensured a summery good mood. Among others, science comedian Konrad Stöckel entertained the audience, the quiz show "1, 2, or 3" fascinated the youngest visitors, and young scientists presented their research at the "Falling Walls Lab". The "Festmeile" in front of the stage offered food, drinks and the opportunity for a break and the plant fire department of the Campus North delighted young and old with varied demonstrations.

More information:
Photos from the open day for download at https://mediendb.aserv.kit.edu/fotoweb/albums/ZI3BpqQ7gcF_x2e7/
Use of the images is permitted exclusively in the above-mentioned context.

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