Big Bang of Knowledge! What does the Science Zone have in store for you at the upcoming Pyrkon? 

29 May 2025

What’s new in the Science Zone?

If you think that this year the Science Zone will no longer surprise you, it is a sure sign that – maybe you are not Muggles – but you should read this summary of the most interesting attractions to the very end. It just so happens that science at Pyrkon reaches even further! For example, at level 0 in the PCC (next to the entrance to the Great Auditorium) there will be a new space – the Science Base. There you will find interactive science-related booth, encouraging you to explore various topics. The following entities will have their booths there: The Archaeological Museum in Biskupin, SimLE Science Club from the Gdańsk University of Technology, LEM Wrocław Motosport and the Institute of Geophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences. 

This year, there will also be a thematic thread in the Science Zone, for which many of you have been waiting for a long time: there will be program events that fit into the extremely popular topic of true crime. As part of this thread, a series of unique lectures and meetings will be waiting for you, and the issue will be explored by experts: Robert Małecki – author of crime novels, popularizer of science, podcaster and scientist, as well as Michał Larek, PhD – writer, educator and podcaster specializing in crime stories based on facts.

Incredible guests in the Science Zone!

This year’s Science Zone also boasts the first foreign guest in its history. Dan Jones – a beloved British historian, journalist and TV presenter, who has hosted dozens of programs, including the Netflix series “Secrets of Great British Castles” will be there. Dan also hosts the podcast “This is History”. At his lecture “The Bright History of the Dark Ages”, Dan Jones will tell you what role the Cardiff Castle played during World War II. He will also reveal what links Lancaster Castle to witch trials and what dishes the inhabitants of Leeds Castle ate in the Middle Ages. 

If you think that statistics is fascinating (or – on the contrary – it scares you and you see it in your worst nightmares), then be sure to come to the lecture by Janina Bąk, who has been known on the Internet as Janina Daily for a decade. We guarantee that our guest will show that statistics is for everyone and you can befriend it. Her lectures explain intricate statistical concepts, while answering key questions for human development, for example: how do we know that a sheep would recognize a president on the street?

Of course, there are even more invited guests to see and listen to! Among them is Mikołaj Kołyszko – a well-known religious scholar, Jaga Moder – known online as Legendystka and author of the book “Sądny dzień”, as well as Przemysław “Trust” Truściński – one of the most outstanding creators of the Polish comic books, to whom we owe the appearance of Geralt in the game “The Witcher” and Tomasz Samojlik – on the one hand a scientist, on the other a comic book artist, on yet another one… author of books about the world of animals for children and young people… and many, many more!

Scientific collaborations in a fantastic world! 

It is said that history likes to repeat itself and it must be admitted that it has its good sides… especially if something fascinating is repeated! The authors of the ZNAK Horyzont Publishing House will visit the Science Zone again, although this year there are even more of them… and thus even more great lectures are waiting for you. There will be – among others – lectures about  Bolesław the Bold, you will find out whether you can get along with a fanatic and listen to a talk about the superstitions we were spoon-fed.

And there are many more attractions out there to choose from! Also this year, Fantastyczny UAM will appear at Pyrkon, which will reach beyond the Science Zone with its tentacles, where its members have prepared a number of interesting lectures combining fantasy and science. Their booth will also appear in the Fan Initiatives Gord , where there will be a lot of attractions related to Slavic mythology, as well as to the Board Games Zone, giving you the opportunity to get acquainted with ancient games such as Go, Hnefatafl, Senet or Royal Game of Ur, which will introduce participants to the atmosphere of historical games. Do not miss the wooden construction workshops, during which you will be able to try your hand at building a small log cabin.  

We also know that many of you will be happy to know that the Rzecznicy Nauki Association will again cooperate with the Science Zone. Members of the Association will prepare a lot of interesting lectures, during which they will talk about various topics – everyone will find something that will fit their interests! Heweliusze Nauki will also appear at Pyrkon once again. This year, they return with an exciting science show and energetic science busking (i.e. scientific sleight of hand, the key element of which is interacting with the audience). Surprises do not, however, end there! In the Kids Zone, Heweliusze Nauki will debut with a musical workshop and a lightning workshop that will surely delight the youngest participants of Pyrkon.

As if that were not enough, the Enigma Cipher Center has also prepared a number of attractions for Pyrkon-goers. You will learn the complicated and often paradoxical history of queer, hear why everyone thinks Dean Winchester is bisexual, and generally learn a lot about the codes, languages, and symbols used by queer communities over the centuries. They will also guide you through the world of cryptology and together you will find out how codes, ciphers and secret signs appear in pop culture.

Amazing panels and lectures!

Of course, the Science Zone will also host a number of fascinating discussion panels, such as the panel by Agnieszka Jankowiak-Maik, PhD – known online as Babka od histy – about women in science yesterday, today and tomorrow. As well as a very interesting panel “Let’s talk about space”, during which we will talk, among others, about the upcoming mission of Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański to the International Space Station (ISS). Together, we will reflect on the importance of scientific experiments carried out in space and their impact on the future of research and technology.

The Science Zone will delight everyone!

Don’t miss the opportunity to combine fun with a solid dose of knowledge! Come to the Science Zone and see that science can be as addictive as the best science fiction novel. First, however, be sure to take a look at the published program of the event  and be sure to filter it so that it shows the attractions of the Science Zone to find out what else we have prepared. See you at Pyrkon 2025!