Starting with a bang. Lectures were part of package on offer during Researcher’s Night. Małopolska Noc Naukowców/Facebook

Thousands of science enthusiasts got the chance to delve into just about any scientific subject under the sun when universities, museums and scientific institutions in the Małopolska region opened their doors to the public on Friday night.

The event was Researcher’s Night, an annual scientific jamboree held simultaneously in 370 cities across Europe, and providing an opportunity to take a look at scientific experiments and new discoveries in many fields, including chemistry, physics, astronomy, biology, geology and geography.

Organiser of the event in Poland, which was concentrated on Kraków but also included other towns in Małopolska, reported a huge demand for tickets for this year’s show.

Child labour. Many of the events were aimed at families.Małopolska Noc Naukowców/Facebook

During the night thousands of visitors, including many families, had a unique opportunity to visit almost all the universities in Kraków, research centres, laboratories and other venues that kept their doors open until late at night. Visitors could also enjoy lectures, workshops, experiments and exhibitions.

The University of Science and Technology (AGH) in Kraków offered more than 40 different events on various subjects. One of the most popular events was a workshop and laboratory demonstration of an autonomous humanoid robot, with demand for tickets outstripping supply.

Monika Maciejko, 25, who graduated in engineering studies from the Kraków University of Technology last year, was one of those who saw the robot. "I'm waiting every year for Researcher's Night,” she said. “It’s a great event that allows us to see all the technological innovations and take part in interesting experiments and workshops.

Visitors got the chance enjoy lectures, workshops, experiments and exhibitions.Małopolska Noc Naukowców/Facebook

“It’s a real celebration for anyone who loves science,” she continued. “I'm interested mainly in environmental engineering and there are a lot of events in this evening that are connected to this. I think that almost anyone can find something they are interested in.”

Another popular event took place at the Institute of Forensic Research in Kraków where visitors got acquainted with the types of evidence that can be found at a crime scene, and how that evidence is protected and later studied in a laboratory.