artLIVE – Science Fair 2025, themed “Curious little minds today. Sustainable change tomorrow”, organized by the Goethe-Institut Ho Chi Minh City under the patronage of the Consulate General of Germany and in collaboration with various partners, has concluded—leaving behind many memorable moments in the hearts of its visitors.
Science Fair 2025 – an inspiring space where learning meets leisure
On October 19, the Science Fair 2025—held for the first time in Ho Chi Minh City—attracted a large number of families, students, and young visitors to explore the world of science through a variety of creative, hands-on experiences. The event not only inspired a love for scientific discovery but also spread meaningful messages about green living and sustainable development.
Science Fair 2025 marks the 15th anniversary of the Science Film Festival, offering an inspiring space where learning and entertainment come together for all ages. The event is organized by the Goethe-Institut Ho Chi Minh City under the patronage of the Consulate General of Germany, in collaboration with partners from the fields of education and innovation.
Over the course of eight hours, the program attracted more than 1,000 visitors—including children, parents, and young audiences—who came together to explore the world of science and art through a diverse range of activities: film screenings, talk shows, creative exhibitions, reading corners, fascinating experiments, and interactive games—all set within a refreshing green space in the heart of the city.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Ms. Thái Mai Lan, Director of the Goethe-Institut Ho Chi Minh City, shared: “Science and curiosity help us understand the world, while art allows us to feel and connect with it on a deeper level. When combined, science and art become a powerful source of inspiration that drives us to create positive change in life.”
She also encouraged the children participating in the event, saying: “Keep asking questions, keep exploring. And always remember — every small idea has the potential to grow and become something that changes the world.”
A multisensory world of experiences at Science Fair 2025
Science Fair 2025 offered a wide range of both indoor and outdoor activities, allowing visitors to gain deeper and broader insights into the event’s overarching theme.
Indoor activities included:
Science on Screen: A dedicated space showcasing a curated selection of films from the Science Film Festival. Through visuals, sound, and emotion, audiences explored how science shapes everyday life—sparking curiosity, imagination, and a passion for learning across all ages. Featured films included Mother of the Sea (UMI NO OYA), Bubbles, and Forever Seven, among others.
Science in Art – conveying the message that science can inspire art, and art can make science more accessible and emotionally engaging. Activities included painting on eggshells, building STEM models such as air rockets and balancing birds, creating colorful artworks, and experiencing AR–VR as well as the Climate Fresk board game, which vividly simulates climate change.
Science in Action – visitors explored a variety of books on science, the environment, and green living skills, complemented by science films and hands-on experiments, making knowledge more approachable and engaging.
Science in Dialogue – featuring a series of talk shows and exhibitions that became a focal point connecting science and art, creating an inspiring and creative space. Highlights included: “From Fields to Plates”, exploring the journey of sustainable agriculture; “Urban Life, How to Thrive?”, discussing the relationship between humans and urban environments; “Nghề nghệ, ‘Póc-Tách’, Nảy Mầm”, opening a dialogue between art and science; “Plan Z: When Science Rebels”, sparking innovative thinking; and “Applying Science & Technology in Future Careers”, guiding young people toward sustainable career paths.
In addition, the outdoor area featured dozens of booths combining hands-on science experiments with creative gastronomy, offering visitors a multisensory journey of discovery.
The Science Experiment and Experience Zone opened up an exciting world of discovery, where visitors could directly engage with scientific principles through hands-on experiments such as: Calculator Scientist – helping children strengthen their memory and get familiar with computer keyboards; Probability and Statistics – demonstrating the laws of probability through random number generation; and Gel Sphere Experiment – allowing participants to create spherical gel beads by hand and observe instant solidification, vividly illustrating the natural process of material transformation.
The Sensory and Interactive Zone offered unique experiences designed to awaken the senses and spark scientific curiosity. Activities included: Sensory Matching – testing participants’ ability to identify coffee aromas through scent cues; Sensory Library – challenging olfactory memory with five distinct fragrances; exploring thermo-sensitive ink technology through write – erase – rewrite interactions; and
Gelato Stick Dip Chocolate – a delightful experience of watching chocolate instantly harden upon contact with cold gelato.
Wrapping up a day filled with energy and inspiration, Science Fair 2025 left not only memorable experiences but also instilled in participants a spirit of curiosity, discovery, and love for science. Through inspiring films, hands-on experiments, artistic activities, dialogues, and multisensory interactions about the environment, the event conveyed a powerful message toward a greener, more sustainable future.
Photos: artLIVE
