CEPLAS and Soapbox Science Rheinland @NRW Tag 2024
© MKW NRW
© MKW NRW
© MKW NRW
© MKW NRW
Every two years, the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia celebrates the founding of the state with a two-day festival. In 2024, the NRW Tag was hosted at the Rheinauhafen in Cologne from August 17th to 18th.
Soapbox Science Rheinland, a science communication initiative co-organized by CEPLAS, was honored to be invited by the NRW Ministry for Science and Culture to participate in the “Science Tent” at this year’s NRW Tag. This provided a unique platform for four of this year’s Soapbox Science Rheinland speakers to present their research to a broad and engaged audience.
Representing CEPLAS, doctoral researcher Susanne Vollmer captivated attendees with her talk titled “Red or Not Red - How Does the Plant Decide?” She introduced her research on the Amaranth plant, showcasing two distinct phenotypes of the plant, which visitors could observe first-hand. The presentation sparked lively discussions, as attendees were fascinated by the colour differences and eagerly engaged with Susanne to learn more about the underlying biological processes.
Soapbox Science Rheinland, established in the region since 2020, is organized by CEPLAS in collaboration with two other excellence clusters at the University of Cologne: CECAD and ML4Q. The event serves a dual mission: to make cutting-edge science accessible to the general public and to enhance the visibility of female and non-binary scientists in the science community and public perception.
By participating in events like NRW Tag, Soapbox Science Rheinland continues to fulfill its mission of bringing science out of the lab and into the public eye, fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of scientific research among a diverse audience.