From Curiosity to Clean Energy: Daniels Jurjevs Inspires the Next Generation in Vaiņode

When research meets curiosity, inspiring moments are born—and that’s exactly what happened when Daniels Jānis Jurjevs, a Research Assistant at the Energy Materials Laboratory of the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL), visited Vaiņode Secondary School on May 28.

During his visit, Daniels engaged around 80 students – from third graders to the last grade of secondary school – in a series of interactive lessons. With an even balance of boys and girls, the classrooms were filled with attentive young minds eager to explore the world of science.

Daniels shared his personal journey into physics, describing what first sparked his interest and how that curiosity evolved into a research career. He gave students a glimpse into his daily work at the laboratory, explaining how science can help solve real-world problems—especially in the field of energy materials.

A key part of his talk focused on the LACISE project, highlighting the many opportunities it offers for students. From exciting excursions and support in developing research papers with guidance from LACISE scientists to participation in the Solar Cup competition, Daniels illustrated how young people can actively engage in science. He also spoke about visits to LACISE partner institutions and experiences such as the European Researchers’ Night, where students can immerse themselves in the vibrant world of research.

To bring science closer to life, Daniels treated students to a memorable demonstration: small, safe hydrogen bubble explosions. The experiment sparked excitement and curiosity—proving that science can be both educational and thrilling.

Through his visit, Daniels not only shared knowledge but also inspired young people to imagine themselves as future scientists. His message was clear: science is open to everyone, and curiosity is the first step toward discovery.