Inspiration for the next generation as researchers meet youth

The university’s researchers regularly participate in ForskarFredag Week, Sweden’s most widespread science festival at the end of September. This year, 160 high school students from Bäckängsgymnasiet and Sven Eriksonsgymnasiet came to Navet Science Center, where they listened to and met researchers from both the University of Borås and Chalmers.

“It is an appreciated event that we are running for the third year in a row. Showing young people how research is conducted and what researchers do at work is an important democratic mission. For many youth, it is their first contact with the university, and being able to inspire them to pursue further studies is a nice bonus,” said Lina Färm, project manager for ForskarFredag Week at the University of Borås.

At the end of the week, visitors at Navet and passers-by could learn more about a unique project on recycled concrete and cast their own decorative pumpkins.

“Building, for example housing, involves using a lot of natural resources, which puts pressure on the environment, but it is also an economic issue. Our hope is to create a circular loop where we can use the materials over and over again,” said Nitin Harale, postdoctoral researcher and one of several researchers in the project.

The Vinnova-funded project includes several industry partners, including Bostäder i Borås, who were also present.

“We hope to apply what the researchers see in the labs to our projects. We want to reduce the climate footprint of concrete,” said Magnus Kleman, project manager at Bostäder i Borås.

Several of the activities are carried out in broad collaboration, including with the City of Borås and with funding from Sparbanken Sjuhärad through its owner foundation.

Inviting Schools on Nobel Day

On Nobel Day, 10 December, another event will take place, where Navet, in collaboration with the university, invites high school students to learn more about this year’s Nobel laureates.

“We aim to reach young people through short lectures by university researchers, who will explain the laureates’ discoveries and their significance for people’s living conditions,” said Fedoua Beckerman. 

For questions and registration, contact Fedoua Beckerman.

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The project Circular and climate optimized concrete element for new construction