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The Festival of Science and Technology has a clear goal – to popularize science and bring it closer not only to children but also to the general public. Every year, experts from the Brno University of Technology help with this mission by revealing fascinating insights from the world of science and technology to visitors. This year, for the very first time, the event included the presentation of the Popularization Spark Award 2025, which was awarded to Tomáš Opravil from the Faculty of Chemistry at BUT! Tomáš Opravil from FCH received an award for popularizing chemistry. | Author: Petr Ryp Since popularization is no easy task and requires empathy, openness, and relentless enthusiasm, the organizers of the Festival of Science and Technology decided to recognize the best popularizers who contribute to the festival. The very first holder of the Popularization Spark Award 2025, which will now be presented regularly in the coming years, is chemist Tomáš Opravil from BUT, for his long-term dedication to popularizing chemistry. “I have been doing this for twenty-five years. I try to show that chemistry and chemical reactions are all around us, and I simply want to show people that chemistry is absolutely everywhere! If even one out of a hundred children in the audience at each show chooses to study natural sciences or technology, that is a huge success,” said Opravil, adding that he greatly appreciates the award, even though he did not expect it at all. He won the award at the Science and Technology Festival. | Author: Petr Ryp The award is proof that when science is done with passion, it can inspire and ignite enthusiasm in others as well. Tomáš Opravil has been part of the Festival of Science and Technology since its very first edition in 2002 and is one of the longest-serving popularizers at the event. However, he also presents science in an entertaining way through other activities. For example, his popular Chemistry Show is regularly performed at the Brno Planet Festival, Pop Science at VIDA, and other popularization events. “Sometimes, together with colleagues, we demonstrate simple experiments that children can try at home with their parents in the kitchen. Other times, we show more complex experiments or even instruments,” he added. The popular chemistry show entertains young and old alike. | Author: Petr Ryp The award ceremony was the highlight of Friday’s social program. The event was also attended by BUT Rector Ladislav Janíček, who thanked Tomáš Opravil for his long-term efforts in popularizing chemistry. “I am pleased that we have scientists at BUT who can communicate complex topics with ease and inspire not only colleagues in the field but also the general public and families with children. I believe that these activities help children build an interest in science and technology, which may later turn into a desire to study technical or natural science disciplines,” said Janíček. The rector of BUT also attended the ceremony. | Author: Petr Ryp This year’s laureate was selected by Jiří Dušek, director of the Brno Observatory and Planetarium, which organizes the festival. In the coming years, the awardee will always be chosen jointly with the laureate from the previous year. Our heartfelt congratulations, and we wish him many more successes! Related articles: