The European Researchers’ Night in Armenia (ERNA) is set to return on September 25-26, 2026, with events simultaneously held in Yerevan, Gyumri, and Vanadzor. This annual pan-European public initiative, part of the larger European Researchers’ Night, aims to bridge the gap between research and citizens, particularly targeting youth, students, families, and the general public.
Bringing Science Closer to Society: The ERNA Initiative
ERNA is funded by the European Union through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) program, which supports cutting-edge research and innovation. MSCA equips researchers at various career stages with new knowledge and skills, fostering cross-border and interdisciplinary collaboration. The initiative operates under the slogan “Science for Citizens, Citizens for Science: Facing Challenges, Building the Future,” with a core mission to make science visible, accessible, and human.
The events are designed to overcome communication barriers between science and society, showcasing researchers as individuals with diverse interests, creativity, and daily lives, whose work profoundly impacts society, the economy, and our collective future.
Interactive Zones and Engaging Activities
Visitors to ERNA will have the opportunity to engage in a wide array of activities, including scientific shows, live demonstrations, experiments, games, and interactive sessions. These hands-on experiences will allow attendees to ask questions, test ideas, explore scientific phenomena, and step into the shoes of a researcher. The program is inclusive, welcoming everyone from young children and their parents to teenagers, university students, teachers, lecturers, and seniors, catering to both science enthusiasts and those new to the field.
The program will cover a broad spectrum of scientific and research areas, with a particular focus on information technologies and key EU priorities, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the European Green Deal, and EU missions. Each topic will be presented in an accessible and engaging manner, highlighting its relevance to everyday life.
Main Event Highlights at the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia
The main event at the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia will feature six complementary thematic zones:
- EU Zone: Showcasing EU-funded programs like MSCA, Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, and COST, along with successful projects supported by these initiatives.
- Edutainment Zone: Presenting science through games and entertainment, including interactive experiments, scientific performances, physics puzzles, and family-friendly activities.
- Exhibition Zone: Highlighting Armenia’s historical and contemporary scientific, technological, and innovative achievements. One section will focus on the contributions of Armenian scientists and inventors to global science and technology, as well as early measurement and control devices from Armenia’s technological industry. Another section will feature current research and educational activities in Armenia, its research institutes, universities, and prominent Armenian scientists.
- Women in Science: Female researchers will present their work, scientific journeys, and the achievements of renowned female scientists, challenging stereotypes and inspiring girls and young women.
- Career Guidance Corner: Organizations and professionals from research, education, healthcare, technology, public, and private sectors will introduce science and research-related professions, career opportunities, and development paths, helping young people make informed choices about their future professions and research careers.
- The Other Side of the Researcher: Researchers will showcase not only their professional work but also their hobbies, creative talents, and interests beyond science, revealing the lively and human side of researchers.
Young European Ambassadors (YEAs) in Armenia will interact with visitors in the Edutainment Zone through interactive activities and support the EU Delegation to Armenia at its pavilion, helping young people discover EU opportunities and the connections between science, research, innovation, and daily life.
ERNA is scheduled to return to Yerevan, Gyumri, and Vanadzor on September 24-25, 2027.
Source: https://euneighbourseast.eu/hy/news/latest-news/evropakan-hetazotoghneri-gisher-hayastanum-naxajerrnutyuny-bolorin-spasum-e-erewanum-gyumrium-ew-vanajorum/
