Expo Science Europe 2004: destination Dresden

What is it and what is it all about? Expo Science Europe 2004 (ESE 2004) is a week-long science exhibition in Dresden hosted by German students for 500 youths from all over the globe from July 7 to 15. The content varied from discoveries and inventions, to original mathematical formulae.

The expo was not just a monotonous conveyor belt bombarding its viewers with unnecessary chunks of indigestible complexities. Science was dealt with as an art throughout the week. From a brief trip around the stands, one would satisfy one's curiosity and awaken a new one.

Since Dresden is known as Germany's 'silicon valley' there were several local exhibits put up by Dresden's technological companies on optics and nanotechnology relating to microchips. The opening ceremony of ESE 2004 formed part of the activities of the Year of Sciences where various exciting experiments about electronics, microchip production and manufacturing as well as laser usage in today's restoration and national defence were shown.

Lectures, given by some of the country's leading scientists, invited us to delve deeper into the projects on display by interacting with the participants, and discussing and exchanging opinions.

The atmosphere was one that stimulated learning and interest. Projectors posted all around the exhibition center were constantly showing experiments and manufacturing techniques, and presenting the cultural and scientific landscapes of Dresden.

Countries were assigned a local representative, further assisting and facilitating one's discovery of the place. Excursions on history, art and science were offered to all participants. Alas to some, the expo offered a window to greater things then sightseeing and lectures. Acquaintances were offered scholarships; others came in the hope of finding potential buyers (or a future) for their projects.

Saturday, July 10, was the Summer Night of Museums in Dresden, a night where all museums were open after hours and a lot of events involving art and culture took place. Most participants took the opportunity to roam around the city till the early hours of the morning.

July 12 was the Night of Cultures at Dresden airport, where every delegation was asked to present a traditional dance, music, play or song. The Night of Sciences opened the doors of universities, inviting us to experience exciting lectures on several fields of science.

The entire evening took place on campus, where the dean welcomed us. Lectures on high voltage experiments, magnetic levitation trains and virtual reality were among many other interesting lectures that night.

We were fascinated that when the average individual is given the necessary stimuli and opportunities, the end result is most impressive. The participants were not the usual stereotyped, spectacle-wearing, beaver-toothed, acne-infested 'nerds' usually shown on television; but your average 'Joe', kids who cared enough about something to try and make it better.

The only difference between them and other peers is that these young scientists' drive was more focused towards creating and discovering, rather than sport, history or art.

Participation in this event was possible thanks to the support of the Ministry for Resources and Infrastructure, the Ministry of Tourism, Tumas Group and Air Malta to the National Student Travel Foundation (Malta). For more information contact Alexandra Scicluna, NSTF head of Educational and Cultural Affairs on tel: 2558-8241 or at nstf@nsts.org. Justine, Albert and Marc attend St Aloysius College Sixth Form.