The Science Basement

Academia or Industry?

That is a question many PhD students ask themselves.

In this article, Lotte shares Emma's journey, along with insights and tips gained from working in both Academia and Industry.

Read Emma's story here: https://buff.ly/0kUBYYd

🔬 Interested in research communication but not sure where to start?

Join The Science Basement’s Intro Evening to learn about our projects & how you can get involved!

📅 Friday 5th June
⏰ 17:00 – 19:00
📍 Kaisa-talo room 5005 & online
✍️ Sign up via this link 👉️ https://buff.ly/F4UMxWi

Discovering the science hidden in everyday life 🧪🌈

As part of our monthly Youth Science Club session (The Science Basement-YEPP collaboration), we organised a hands-on workshop focused on pH indicators and the chemistry hidden in everyday life.

Using red cabbage, we created a natural pH indicator and tested different everyday liquids such as lemon juice, vinegar, soft drinks, water, detergent, and baking soda solutions. The kids explored how common household substances can be acidic, basic, or neutral, and how scientists can identify them using indicators. The color changes sparked a lot of excitement and curiosity, as we observed solutions turning pink, purple, blue, and green depending on their pH!

Beyond learning about acids and bases, the workshop encouraged the participants to think like scientists: making predictions, observing carefully, discussing results, and asking questions about the chemistry behind what they saw. It was wonderful to see how engaged and enthusiastic everyone was throughout the activities!

A huge thanks to all the volunteers for planning, organizing, creating, and leading the science session, especially to Sara Stebe and Matea Radesic for their work!

Is obesity a choice?

There's more to the story than willpower alone.

In this new article from the "Myths, mysteries and misconceptions" series, Arsene breaks down the science behind obesity and food choices

Read more here: https://buff.ly/oahQUA5

SLAMMERS WANTED!
Science Slam is coming back to Helsinki and we’re looking for you!
📅 Nov 6, 2026 | 18:00
📍 G Livelab
What is it?
A live event where researchers present their work to a general audience: clear, engaging, no jargon. And yes, the audience decides the winner.
👩‍🔬 Who can join?
From students to professors: if you do research, you can slam.
🎭 Your stage, your style
Talk it. Perform it. Use visuals, music, demos, make it yours.
🤝 You won’t do it alone
With , you’ll get coaching, feedback, and a supportive crew.
APPLY BY THE END OF JUNE. Use the link in bio / QR in the poster.
Perform your research. Become a Science Slammer. ✨
Supported by Aalto University and HiLIFE.

🎉 Save the Date! Join us for the next Afternoon in the Science Basement — an evening of science, curiosity, and fun!

🗓 When: Wednesday, 13 May at 17:30 (EET)
📍 Where: Oodi Library, 3rd floor (Saarikoski), Töölönlahdenkatu 4, Helsinki

This time, Una Europa partners will talk about “Narrating Futures: Voices for Sustainable Change and Impact” The talk will be followed by a lively Q&A session, so bring your questions and curiosity!

👉 Find more details on our page (link in bio).

🎉 We are pleased to invite you to the Helsinki E-FLIRT workshop series—an interactive, scenario-based “serious game” designed to build futures literacy and practical skills for making sustainable decisions in uncertain and rapidly changing environments.

Participants from academia (students and staff), business, start-ups, the public sector, and civil society are welcome to participate and work in small, mixed teams to tackle real-world future challenges and co-create a concrete, solution-focused proposal that balances sustainability, equity, and feasibility. The series offers a unique opportunity to test ideas, challenge assumptions, and collaborate across sectors to design resilient pathways for the future.

👉 Registration is flexible and free of charge, and you are welcome to attend individual sessions without needing to join all workshops. Registration link: https://buff.ly/8TTUO26

At our Youth Science Club (TSB-YEPP collaboration), we hosted a Floating Balloon Competition, a challenge where physics meets teamwork and creativity! 🎈

A session exploring concepts like gravity, buoyancy, and even static electricity: our brilliant minds carefully balanced balloons so they hovered perfectly in mid-air.

Then came the real challenge: a competition in which the kids had to guide the balloon using only air currents and electrostatic forces, going from one side of the room to the other in the fastest time possible.

No touching.
No strings pulled.
Just science in action! 💥

Science becomes most powerful when learners can experience it directly, and this workshop was a wonderful example of how play and experimentation can deepen understanding.
We’re proud to continue building spaces where young people can discover science through hands-on exploration!