Science is heading back onto Malta’s streets this September as Science in the City returns for its 2026 edition, bringing research, art, education and creativity together once again.This year’s festival will run under the theme “Research, Resist, Reimagine”, inviting people to explore how research can help us understand the world, challenge existing ideas and imagine different possibilities for the future.And it’s shaping up to be another massive edition.More than 100 organisations have already registered to participate, while around 35,000 visitors are expected to attend.Justice, Research and Innovation Minister Clifton Grima and Education and Sport Minister Byron Camilleri announced details of the festival, highlighting the importance of making science and research accessible beyond universities and laboratories.“Research and innovation are not abstract concepts,” Grima said, pointing towards areas including health, climate resilience, artificial intelligence, sustainability, mobility and environmental protection.Meanwhile, Camilleri highlighted the festival’s role in getting young people curious about science, mathematics and technology through more hands-on experiences.And Science in the City has come a very long way since its first edition in 2012.The festival welcomed around 12,000 people when it first launched, compared to more than 33,000 visitors annually today.Its educational work also continues beyond the festival itself through Researchers at Schools, which brings researchers directly into classrooms and gives students the opportunity to explore different careers and tackle practical challenges.During the 2026/27 academic year, the programme aims to reach more than 40 schools, 5,000 students and 80 educators.So, when does everything kick off?Pre-festival activities will continue until 23rd September, before the main Science in the City street festival takes over on 25th and 26th September.The programme will then return with its performance festival on 6th and 7th November.With everything from science and technology to art and live performance on the agenda, the festival is once again aiming to prove that science definitely doesn’t have to stay inside the laboratory.Share with someone who would be interested!•