The two-day event welcomed students, families, researchers, educators, healthcare professionals, and science enthusiasts for hands-on experiences, inspiring talks, and interactive workshops.
Organized by the Center of Excellence in Sustainability (CoES) in collaboration with the School of Science and Technology, the event invited students, educators, researchers, healthcare professionals, families, and science enthusiasts to explore the many ways science connects with everyday life. Through keynote talks, interactive workshops, scientific demonstrations, and experiential learning activities, Deree Science Days 2026 offered an engaging program designed for audiences of all ages.
The event opened on Friday, April 24, with two distinguished speakers who addressed some of today’s most fascinating questions in science and medicine. Dr. Paraskevi Nomikou presented a lecture on marine geohazards and underwater geological processes, highlighting the importance of volcanic and seismic activity in the Aegean region and the role of marine research in understanding natural phenomena and environmental change.
The evening continued with Dr. Med. Dimitrios Isaakidis, who explored the relationship between consciousness, neuroscience, medicine, philosophy, artificial intelligence, and physics. His presentation encouraged the audience to reflect on the future of brain science and the evolving connection between human cognition and emerging technologies.
The first day concluded under the night sky with a stargazing session on campus, supported by the Hellenic Amateur Astronomy Union. Participants observed celestial objects through telescopes and engaged with astronomy enthusiasts and science facilitators, enjoying a memorable hands-on experience that captured the event’s spirit of curiosity, exploration, and public engagement with science.
On Saturday, April 25, the campus came alive with a rich program of sessions and activities. A key part of this year’s event was a series of dedicated workshops for educators, focusing on two important themes: the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and addictions. The workshops offered teachers practical tools, interactive methodologies, and contemporary educational perspectives to support science engagement among students, foster inquiry-based learning, and encourage innovative approaches to STEM teaching and experiential learning in the classroom.
A special session dedicated to World Parkinson’s Day brought together clinicians, researchers, innovators, patients, and caregivers for meaningful dialogue on the role of scientific research, collaboration, and community engagement in advancing healthcare and improving quality of life.
Throughout the event, visitors had the opportunity to discover student and faculty research initiatives and explore a wide range of scientific fields, including biology, genetics, biodiversity, chemistry, neuroscience, environmental science, astronomy, robotics, artificial intelligence, and sustainability. Activities included forest biodiversity exploration, microbiology observations, interactive human anatomy sessions, everyday chemistry experiments, molecular gastronomy “cooking,” the timeline of evolution, telescope observations, weather phenomena demonstrations, virtual reality experiences, cryptography games, and robotics interactions.
Deree Science Days 2026 also highlighted ACG’s dedication to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing the important role that science, education, and innovation play in shaping a more sustainable and equitable future.
With strong public participation and enthusiastic engagement, Deree Science Days 2026 reaffirmed its role as an important platform for science communication and community outreach in Greece. The event was made possible thanks to the invaluable contributions of more than 20 faculty members and lab technicians, as well as more than 30 students, whose energy and dedication helped bring science closer to the community.
By connecting academic research with society and creating opportunities for lifelong learning, Deree Science Days 2026 demonstrated how science can inspire curiosity, creativity, and collaboration across generations.
