UWB Day 2026: The Centre of Pilsen turned again into a giant playground and laboratory

From chemistry experiments and virtual reality to playing with sound and watercolors. Pilsen’s Republic Square once again came alive with stands showcasing the University of West Bohemia. Dozens of exhibits transported visitors and passers-by into the world of science and art.

Clusters of children and young people everywhere you looked, lively chatter, as well as various strange sounds and explosions. That was the scene on Friday morning in Pilsen’s Republic Square. Some visitors lingered at the stands, curiously exploring what the exhibits had to offer, while others were still queuing up to get a closer look and, of course, try everything out for themselves. This year, the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen brought four dozen exhibits right into the center of the regional capital. UWB Day showed that science is all around us – and that it can be a lot of fun, too.

“What I enjoyed most was the question of who the tram should hit,” little Anička said. She was talking about an ethical experiment called the Trolley Problem, which sociologists from the Faculty of Arts presented to visitors. The experiment asks whether it is morally acceptable to sacrifice one life to save several others. Anička’s friend Jitka preferred art at the Sutnarka stand: “I’m drawing a little horse, a flower, and an icicle. I like the way it sparkles. I’ve already made a decoration, too.” Like many other children, Anička and Jitka came to Republic Square with their class. Schools were the main visitors to the university’s event in the morning and late morning.

"I noticed these events popped up for me already last year. So this year, we went on this trip," explained Marie, a primary school teacher from Mlečice. "Even though the children won't come across these experiments and advanced technology just yet, I think it's definitely good to show them that it exists," she added, stating that she and her class will definitely return for UWB Day next year.

The 20th Primary School from Pilsen incorporated the program on the main square straight into their classes. "We have a school assignment here. Our physics teacher came up with it. We have worksheets, and we have to fill them in based on the booths. Right now we're at the first one," reported a trio of boys excitedly at one of the Faculty of Applied Sciences stands.

All nine university faculties presented themselves in a playful way on Republic Square. The student formula car from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering was a huge hit again this year, with a line forming in front of its booth for almost the entire day. It was equally packed around the battle of mini mobile robots, the retro computer games stall, and the Faculty of Health Studies exhibits. The latter brought a full-size ambulance to the square to demonstrate first aid and paramedic work. The Faculty of Education booth also drew plenty of attention by showcasing all sorts of chemical experiments.

While the first half of the day drew mostly school groups to UWB Day, the afternoon was more for families and people dropping by on their way home from work. They didn't pass up the chance to try out the various experiments and games either. The Pilsen Student Symphony Orchestra then injected a brisk tempo into the afternoon.

University booths have regularly appeared in the center of Pilsen for the past twenty years. Many visitors remember the event as Science and Technology Day. Why the name changed this year was explained right at the opening of the program by UWB Rector Miroslav Lávička: "We wanted to show that the University of West Bohemia is broader than just science and technology. It also encompasses culture, art, and sports. We are a multidisciplinary university and want to present ourselves as a whole so that everyone can enjoy the part they love."

The leadership of the City of Pilsen and the Pilsen Region also sees the value in such an event. "As a teacher myself, I appreciate that students aren't just sitting at their desks, and also that the university keeps its doors open to our pupils. Examples of good practice and the opportunity to discover science in a more engaging way are key here," appreciated Deputy Mayor for Education and Tourism Lucie Kantorová. Regional Councilor for Education and Sports Vladimír Kroc shares a similar view: "We have a keen interest in raising a generation that will gradually develop things alongside the region. The Pilsen Region is the founder of many secondary schools whose pupils may be future UWB students. The university is one of the crucial pillars in our region."

Photos from UWB Day in Pilsen are in the photo gallery.