Discovering science, engaging in dialogue, and getting creative: At the Long Night of Museums on October 17, 2026, the office of the Bavarian Climate Research Network (bayklif2) presented its new research projects to a broad and interested audience. Several hundred visitors took the opportunity to gain exciting insights into current climate research and discover the network’s diverse research activities.
Climate Research in Dialogue with the Public
- How is our climate changing?
- What consequences does climate change have for our environment and ecosystems?
- And how can scientific findings help make Bavaria more resilient to these changes?
The bayklif2 office addressed these exact questions during the Long Night of Museums. Surrounded by paleontology and geography, the event provided an ideal setting to convey current climate research in a vivid and accessible way.
At the heart of the presentation were the new research projects of bayklif2, funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts from 2026 to 2030. Their shared goal is to develop concrete, practical, and innovative technical solutions to sustainably strengthen Bavaria against climate change.
The numerous conversations with visitors demonstrated the immense interest in scientific findings, the challenges of climate change, and potential solutions. People of all age groups approached the network’s research questions and goals with remarkable curiosity.
A Takeaway Connection to Nature
In addition to scientific insights, creativity also played a central role. Under the motto “Nature Connectedness to Wear,” visitors collaborated with the bayklif2 team to design custom pin-back buttons featuring nature motifs.
This activity produced numerous small, personal keepsakes that simultaneously carried an important message: our natural habitats and intact ecosystems are of inestimable value and deserve special attention.
This hands-on creative station offered an accessible entry point into topics surrounding nature, the environment, and climate protection, while fostering personal conversations and a lively exchange between science and the public.
A Successful Evening of Encounters and Discoveries
For the bayklif2 team, the Long Night of Museums was a complete success. Several hundred interested guests, many stimulating discussions, and numerous creatively designed buttons made the evening a truly special experience.
The event once again highlighted the importance of making scientific research visible and tangible beyond the walls of universities and research institutions. After all, climate research thrives not only on new findings, but equally on dialogue with society.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our hosts at the Paleontological Institute—particularly Dr. Nose, Senior Conservator for Fossil Invertebrates at the Bavarian State Collection for Paleontology and Geology—as well as to all visitors for their great interest, curiosity, and enriching interactions. We hope you enjoyed the evening just as much as the entire bayklif2 team did!
