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Happy 2nd birthday to CERN Science Gateway

Author

Charlotte Lindberg Warakaulle is the Director for International Relations.

After two years of operation, CERN Science Gateway has welcomed more than 750 000 visitors from across the world, thanks to the commitment of the CERN community

We reached a fantastic milestone on 1 October 2025: a total of 750 000 visitors from 179 countries or territories have come to CERN Science Gateway since it opened to the public two years ago.

Science Gateway is now our preeminent platform for education, outreach and stakeholder engagement. One of our management objectives for 2021–2025 was to strengthen CERN’s impact on society. Translating this into communication actions was achieved through our communication strategy, and some of the tangible outcomes included sustained engagement of our target audiences with CERN and its work, and personal connection to CERN. The public events, science shows, lab workshops, guided tours and interactive exhibitions, alongside the work of our precious CERN guides, have helped us to achieve these outcomes through Science Gateway. 

Science Gateway belongs to all of us and offers a wealth of possibilities for the CERN community. These incredible two years have seen more than 120 events (co-)organised by CERN units at Science Gateway, which has established itself as a central meeting place for the community.

Alongside our cultural seasons of public talks – including the latest season, Generation Higgs – Science Gateway has been a space for dialogue, about future projects and between visitors and guides, bringing the scientific mission and achievements of CERN to a much wider audience. I extend a heartfelt thank you to all the CERN guides whose enthusiasm has sparked curiosity and excitement in visitors of all ages and backgrounds.

Science Gateway also serves as a venue for private events with, to date, 28 external partners trusting CERN to host their events, further extending CERN’s reach with the wider community.

I take this opportunity, on behalf of all the Directorate, to thank the full CERN community for your engagement, which has been so important to making our flagship education and outreach centre come alive. The special feeling of community at CERN is transmitted to the visitors in all the dimensions of Science Gateway, and that is only possible thanks to your involvement.

CERN-PHOTO-202311-276-13 CERN guide on stage excitedly showing vapour from liquid nitrogen shooting out of the spout of a watering can
Thank you to the CERN guides, including science show presenters, whose enthusiasm has sparked curiosity and excitement in visitors. Discover the unexpected benefits of being a CERN guide. (Image: CERN)
 
Musée,SG,kids
The CERN Science Gateway exhibitions are accessible by design, giving visitors of all ages and backgrounds the chance to interact with CERN’s science, technology and even people. (Image: CERN)
 
VIP visit
On 16 November 2023, the visit of the President of France, Emmanuel Macron (centre left), and the President of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset (centre, right) included the CERN Science Gateway lab workshops, which offer hands-on activities for all ages. (Image: CERN)
 
Copper piece of equipment with a woman inserting a thin layer at the extremity of the machine
In November 2024, the mini proton accelerator ELISA began analysing archaeological samples directly in CERN’s Science Gateway exhibition centre. This marks the first time a proton accelerator of this kind has been used for research as part of a museum exhibition. (Image: CERN)
 
Events
Our 2025–26 cultural season, Generation Higgs, kicked-off on 25 September 2025 with a screening of “Les vrais chercheurs ne savent pas ce qu’ils cherchent”. (Image: CERN)