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Imagine a night where science blends with magic, and innovation meets art! The Athena Research Center, along with its researchers, invites the public to Xanthi on Friday, September 27, 2024, for the MEDNIGHT 2024 Researcher’s Night – a European celebration promising enchanting moments.

Visitors will have the opportunity to discover the latest advancements in artificial intelligence that are changing the world, explore platforms that take them back in time, and experience how augmented and virtual reality can transform perceptions of history and art. They will also engage with archaeology through virtual excavations, 3D digitization, and innovative data analyses. Additionally, they will learn about their personal carbon footprint and its significance for sustainable development, participating in activities that combine music, education, entertainment, and more.

Both young and old will become part of the Athena research team and its collaborators, learning about technologies and innovations that bring the new era into daily life through games, workshops, and impressive presentations.

The 5th edition of the Mediterranean Researchers' Night or MEDNIGHT, is a project supported by the European Union (Marie Curie Actions) and aims to showcase the more approachable side of science conducted in Mediterranean countries to young people and adults.

Athena, in collaboration with other organizations, will create a series of unique events for the celebration of the Mediterranean Researchers' Night in Xanthi. Specifically, exhibitions, workshops, lectures, games, discussions, and competitions related to research will take place at the Athena premises and other locations in the city, highlighting the value of Mediterranean science.

What is MEDNIGHT?

MEDNIGHT aims to promote the concept of Mediterranean Science globally, providing a journey through networks of knowledge exchange, shared scientific practices, and citizen engagement, while also highlighting the contributions of women researchers. It seeks to underscore the importance of Mediterranean science and the need for sustainable solutions to common problems faced by Mediterranean countries.

Particular emphasis will be placed on recognizing and making visible the contributions of women researchers, encouraging the participation of young women and girls in science.

In 2024, MEDNIGHT partners will carry out activities in schools and joint dissemination actions for Mediterranean science, culminating on September 27, when the main events will take place in various cities, including Messina (Sicily), Lesbos, Nicosia, Istanbul, Brussels, Monastir (Tunisia), Montpellier, Toulouse, Madrid, Almería, Orihuela, and Alicante.

Parallel Events at the Athena Research Center

As part of this year's MEDNIGHT 2024, significant workshops and seminars will be organized in Xanthi during the last week of September.

Specifically:

On September 23, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, a workshop titled "STEAM and Artificial Intelligence in Education" will be held. The workshop will present the Research and Innovation Hub in Education developed under the “Interactive Music and Scientific Activities” (ΕπιSTEAMουσική) project and the generative AI tools from the AI4EDU project, focusing on enhancing school education through innovative technologies. The event will take place at the Athena Research Center in Xanthi.

On September 24, 2024, from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM, a workshop titled "Innovation and Social Impacts from Digital Transformation and Green Transition" will be conducted. During this workshop, the European Innovation Hub for Digital Governance GR digiGOV-innoHUB will be presented, and technological solutions for digital and green transition will be discussed, including roundtable discussions on public administration needs and new smart services. The event will be held in Komotini, in the "GEORGIOS PAVLIDIS" meeting room of the Regional Unit of Rodopi (Administrative Building), 1st floor, Republic Ave. 1.

On September 25, 2024, from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM, a workshop titled "Innovation and Digital Transformation in Culture and Tourism" will take place. This workshop aims to explore the benefits of collaborating with the European Innovation Hub in the fields of Culture and Tourism and will include roundtable discussions to identify needs and generate ideas for projects that improve service quality. The event will be held at the Athena Research Center in Xanthi.

See the full Mednight program here