LACISE Young Researchers Inspire Future STEM Talent at Universs@LU, Icebreakers’26 and Career Day 2026
Universs@LU: Bringing Science to Young Minds
ISSP UL young researchers at the Universs@LU study festival. Photo – Līga Ūdre.
From 19–21 February, the Universs@LU study festival filled the UL Academic Centre’s House of Science with school pupils, teachers, and families. As Latvia’s largest event dedicated to study opportunities and science outreach, it offered extensive interactive sessions and demonstrations. Here, LACISE young researchers presented two highly engaging experiments that piqued visitors' curiosity.
The first was the lemon battery experiment, in which participants connected electrodes to fruits and measured the resulting voltage with a multimeter. This hands‑on activity demonstrated how simple materials can create a functioning electrochemical cell, making the principles of battery technology accessible to all ages.
The second demonstration, decidedly more dynamic, was a live hydrogen electrolysis experiment. Using glass vessels, electrodes, and an electric current, the researchers produced visible hydrogen and oxygen bubbles. Visitors could observe the process up close, and the bravest were invited to safely ignite small hydrogen bubbles, creating a brief, sharp micro‑explosion. This memorable moment quickly became a highlight of the festival, proving that science can be both educational and thrilling.
Icebreakers’26: Electrochemistry in the Innovation Ecosystem
LACISE representative Ņikita Griščenko at Icebreakers’26. Photo – Līga Ūdre.
Held on 5 March, the Icebreakers’26 business opportunity festival gathered more than 700 students, researchers, and young entrepreneurs. The event is known for fostering innovation, creativity, and collaboration between academia and industry.
The LACISE young researcher from the ISSP UL's Energy Materials Laboratory showcased a functional hydrogen electrolysis setup, using several interconnected electrochemical cells to demonstrate real‑time gas formation. Visitors could watch hydrogen bubbles form on the electrodes, learn how water splitting works, and discuss how electrochemical processes underpin modern energy technologies. The visually striking setup sparked numerous conversations and fit naturally into the festival’s innovation‑driven atmosphere.
Career Day 2026: Science as a Future Career Path
LACISE project representative Niks Smelters discussing career opportunities at LU CFI. Photo – Līga Ūdre.
On 6 March, Career Day 2026—jointly organized for the first time by RTU, RSU, and the RTU Riga Business School took place at the Ķīpsala Exhibition Centre. The event brought together nearly 100 companies and several thousand students and recent graduates looking for internships, jobs, and future career directions.
Instead of focusing on demonstrations, the LACISE team used this event to introduce visitors to the career and internship opportunities at the ISSP UL, explaining what daily work in a research laboratory involves and how students can get involved during their studies. Young researchers shared insights into the profession of a scientist, encouraging students to consider the Institute of Solid State Physics as a workplace where they can develop practical skills, gain experience, and contribute to cutting‑edge research.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists
Across Universs@LU, Icebreakers’26, and Career Day 2026, young researchers involved in the LACISE project successfully engaged hundreds of young people. Their hands‑on demonstrations of batteries and hydrogen production, combined with conversations about scientific careers, helped show that science is not merely theory – it is a dynamic, creative, and accessible field. By offering young people tangible experiences and real pathways into research, the LACISE project continues to strengthen the appeal of STEM fields in Latvia and supports the emergence of future scientists, engineers, and innovators.