Poland. Science and Education Days

From April 22 to 26, 2025, the Poland Pavilion at Expo in Osaka came alive with a dynamic program organized as part of the Polish Science and Education Days. It was a week filled with inspiring meetings, cutting-edge technologies, interactive workshops, and a presentation of the achievements of Polish universities and scientific institutions.

Participating Institutions and Opening Ceremony

Participants included institutions such as the Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), AGH University of Science and Technology, Fryderyk Chopin University of Music, State Forests, the Ministry of Climate and Environment, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, and the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA). The official opening ceremony took place on the first day, with the Minister of Science and Higher Education inaugurating the series of events. A symbolic highlight was the tree-planting ceremony at the campus of the Osaka College of Music, attended by university rectors, Expo officials, and public institution representatives.

Technology, Science, and Polish Inventions

The daily outdoor workshops near the Poland Pavilion drew large crowds. Visitors could build their own solar boat or unmanned vehicle under the guidance of experts from AGH and SGGW. The company ASTOR showcased its robot, ASTORINO, which not only performed precise movements but also engaged children in fun and educational interactions.

A recurring feature was a documentary on Polish inventors, presenting their contributions to global technological development in an accessible and engaging format.

NAWA Day and the Internationalization of Polish Science

NAWA Day featured a conference on the internationalization of higher education, with attendees including representatives from Polish universities, academic communities from Japan and Europe, and the Minister of Science and Higher Education. Following the formal sessions, a seminar promoted studying in Poland, topped off with a traditional Polish lunch for participants.

A popular attraction was a series of language games and activities led by Polish Studies students from the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, aimed at both children and adults interested in learning Polish.

Polish Space Day

One of the week’s most spectacular events was Polish Space Day, held under the patronage of Dr. Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, the Polish astronaut. The day celebrated historical scientific figures and Poland’s modern achievements in space exploration.

In collaboration with the New Space Foundation and Jagiellonian University, educational workshops were offered under the theme “From Nicolaus Copernicus to Sławosz Uznański.” Participants built origami astrolabes, discovered Copernicus as both a physician and economist, and minted their own Renaissance-style coins. Manga comic drawing workshops featuring Copernicus, a light and sound show inspired by his achievements, and a multimedia presentation on Poland’s space research contributions captivated audiences.

The day ended with a concert by renowned pianist Leszek Możdżer, who performed using a decaphonic piano—an experimental instrument developed in collaboration with Polish sound engineers from the Polish Academy of Sciences.

Polish Women in Science Day – In the Footsteps of Marie Skłodowska-Curie

On April 26, the final day of the week was dedicated to Polish Women in Science Day, honoring women’s contributions to global science and addressing current challenges and successes of female scientists. The event was organized by the Polish Academy of Sciences in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education.

The day included an international conference featuring researchers from Poland, Japan, Israel, and France. The program featured two key panels:

• “Women Leaders in Science” – exploring the roles of women in top-level research and scientific leadership
• “Icons of Science” – a reflective discussion inspired by the correspondence between Marie Skłodowska-Curie and Albert Einstein

Visitors to the Poland Pavilion could also view the bilingual (English and Japanese) digital exhibition “A Continuous Thread: Maria Skłodowska-Curie 1867–1934”, as well as examine a unique artifact—Curie’s original doctoral thesis and samples of radioactive materials.

The day included both educational and artistic elements. Workshop participants created models of Radium and Polonium and admired historical costume reconstructions by designer Natalia Ślizowska. The Women’s Pavilion also featured the SZYFRODZIEWCZYNY project, highlighting the stories of 20 women from around the world engaged in intelligence work, with a focus on Polish agents and the legacy of the Enigma codebreakers.

The day concluded with a visit from students of a partner school in Himeji, twinned with the Nazareth High School in Warsaw, and a skills demonstration by WorldSkills laureates from Poland and Japan.