Blog
Lemon, Science & Smiles – Science Market Uppsala at European Researchers’ Night in Belgrade
On a Friday evening, Belgrade was buzzing with science. Streets, galleries, museums, and science stations were filled with curious eyes, questions, experiments—and lemonade! The European Researchers’ Night once again proved how science becomes magical when it’s shared with children, parents, and volunteers who believe in the power of knowledge.
We at Science Market Uppsala were honored to be part of this inspiring event with one of our favorite family workshops: Lemon Lab.
What kind of knowledge do you need for a scientific lemonade?
Absolutely none—except curiosity and a willingness to roll up your sleeves! Our young scientists and their parents didn’t need to know what pH means or how to use lab equipment. All they needed was the desire to explore something new—through smell, taste, touch, and laughter.
What happened in the Lemon Lab?
- We made lemonade—but the scientific kind! Children observed, sliced, squeezed, measured, and discussed what was happening in their glass.
- We explored acidity using a homemade pH indicator (made from red cabbage!) and learned how to “read” the sourness of lemonade.
- We traveled through time and geography, discovering how lemons journeyed from ancient China through Persia and the Mediterranean to our modern kitchens.
- We planted lemon seeds and learned how to care for them at home, how to observe their growth, and what patience means in science.
Science in numbers
During the evening, 568 children participated in the Lemon Lab.
At the beginning, we asked:
Do you do science experiments at home?
✅ Only 16% said yes.
At the end, we asked:
Did you enjoy the workshop, and would you like to experiment at home?
✅ An incredible 99.9% said yes!
These numbers speak for themselves—when science is presented through play and experience, it stays in the heart.
A broader impact across Europe
After 15 years of European Researchers’ Night, the results show a powerful impact on science promotion and research careers across the continent:
- Over 1.5 million visitors participate annually in events across 450+ cities in 25 countries.
- There is a growing interest among young people in science and research careers, especially through interactive activities, experiments, games, and direct encounters with scientists.
- The “Researchers at Schools” program enabled more than 320,000 students in 2022 and 2023 to take part in hands-on science activities, lab visits, and workshops.
- The initiative has led to greater visibility of scientific institutions and improved communication between researchers and the general public.
Looking ahead
New editions are planned for 2026 and 2027, with a budget of over €16 million to support events across Europe.
The focus will be on:
- Engaging youth and families who have limited access to science.
- Promoting diversity and gender balance in science.
- Connecting with EU priorities such as climate change, sustainability, and digital transformation.
New formats are also in development, including summer schools, science walks, “rent-a-scientist” initiatives, and deeper collaboration with local communities.
This initiative is increasingly seen as a key tool for scientific literacy and civic engagement, with the goal of making science accessible to everyone—regardless of age, education, or location.
💬 A personal note from Zorana
“My focus within the Researchers’ Night is to inspire parents and children to bring science into their everyday lives—through simple, hands-on experiments at home. I truly believe that this approach has the greatest potential for long-term impact, by nurturing curiosity from an early age.”
— Zorana Kurbalija Novicic, interview for The Centar forPromotion of Science
👨👩👧👦 A gentle nudge for parents: bring science home
If your child was one of the 568 little scientists who joined us—or if you’re just discovering us now—don’t let the experiment end here.
- Try making lemonade together again, but this time measure the pH with a homemade indicator.
- Plant a lemon seed and track its growth in a family science journal.
- Ask your child what they remember from the workshop and let them teach you something new.
Because science doesn’t live only in labs or classrooms—it lives in your kitchen, your garden, and your everyday conversations.
Let’s keep exploring, together.