On Sunday, 27 April 2025, Gozo’s iconic Citadel in Victoria came alive with excitement as hundreds of visitors attended the sixth edition of Science in the Citadel — a dynamic festival of science designed to spark interest and excitement among children and adults alike.
Now in its sixth successful edition, is a free family festival promoting engagement with science, technology, and innovation. This year’s event, launched on 9 April by the Minister for Gozo, Hon. Clint Camilleri, continued that mission with a packed programme of hands-on activities, live demos, and exhibitions covering topics such as physics, pharmacology, oceanography, and maths.
Notably, the event also featured the She Can Exhibition, which celebrated 26 Maltese women in science and technology and made its first appearance in Gozo. The exhibition was a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusion in science, inspiring many young visitors to imagine themselves as future scientists, engineers, and changemakers.
The University of Malta had a strong presence at the festival through showcasing cutting-edge UM-led projects like SIMIT, THARSY, and Road-STEAMer.
Dr Iman Farhat from the Department of Physics delivered a presentation showcasing the importance of physics and mathematics in everyday settings, and Ms Audrey Zammit from the Department of Geosciences discussed the role of citizen scientists within the Ocean decade.
A group of Pharmacology students from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, namely Amy Said, Jordan Curmi and Isaac Joseph Mula also participated and answered attendees about what knowledge from other scientific disciplines lends itself to Pharmacology to be able to provide a foundation for medical treatment.
The team also took part through a playful puppet show on genetics, a creative astronomy workshop packed with discovery and an interactive science session that urged participants to create their own green urban spaces using lego.
Organised by the EcoGozo Directorate within the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, the event attracted science lovers from both Gozo and Malta, transforming the ancient Citadel into a dynamic space of learning and wonder. With panoramic views, historic architecture, and a festival atmosphere, the setting added a unique charm to the day’s scientific explorations.
Whether discovering how the ocean is studied, exploring sustainable solutions, or meeting real scientists behind today’s most exciting projects, Science in the Citadel 2025 proved once again that science can be as accessible, engaging, and magical as the historic setting it took place in.
