Expo Science Med 2006 was held between the 13th and 18th November 2006, on the University of Malta grounds. The venue, which took up an area of 2400metres squared, consisted of: 4 workshop areas, 2 halls seating 150 persons each, an exhibition area which featured the participants of ESM 2006, the European Union’s Fusion Expo and The Little Scientists’ Village.
The Expo featured a total of 21 projects presented by students and youth aged between 11 and 25. The 26 participants to the expo hailed from 11 countries currently participating in the Euro-Med Partnership. Projects on display related to all scientific fields including the social sciences.
Fusion Expo – an itinerant exhibition established by the European Commission - was one of the special attractions of ESM 2006. The exhibition addresses issues such as the problem of long-term energy supply, basics on magnetic fusion status of art and the European approach. The exhibit introduced Controlled Thermonuclear Fusion research carried out by European labs: objectives, completed results and the most significant themes for the development of this new source of energy. It presented in particular the ITER project, the first experimental fusion reactor developed in collaboration with Europe, Japan, Russia, Canada, United States. The exhibit was targeted to the general public.
Furthermore, a Contact Making Seminar entitled Science in the Med: Opportunities for Dialogue was organised for the accompanying group leaders, youth workers and project leaders of the Euro-Mediterranean region who are involved in the popularisation of science among youth. A total of thirty-two participants coming from different countries of the Euro-Mediterranean region attended this event.
Expo Science Med 2006 also hosted for the first time in Malta the NSTF Little Scientists’ Village. The NSTF Little Scientists’ Village catered for primary school children to participate in hands-on science activities as well as to create their own scientific interactive experiments. Activities included displays in various scientific forms using a variety of mediums such as theatre, art and music. The target audience of this activity were schoolchildren aged between six and eleven.
ESM 2006 also included a number of workshops and lectures given by university lecturers, science student organisations, the health department and much more. Most prominently it featured the visit of Peter Douglas, a Chemistry Professor at the University of Swansea and an established speaker at the London International Youth Science Forum. Prof. Douglas and Dr. Grawley delivered a science show on Chemistry and Light. These activities targeted students from secondary and post-secondary institutions.
Art Installations focusing on the theme of the positive application of science in society were also put on display in different parts of the University of Malta during the event. These installations witnessed the participation of emerging and established artists who came together to produce art installations focusing on the theme mentioned above. The more than 10,000 students and lecturers who visit the University on a daily basis were the target audience for this activity.
Visits reached to around 1500 per day, mainly students coming from primary and secondary schools. The 2 hour tours around the venue were guided by 100+ university student volunteers.