But what about the Ig Nobels?
Less well known, the Ig Nobel Prizes—think of them as the Nobel’s more playful cousin—have been celebrating 35 years of discoveries that are as clever as they are unconventional. These awards shine a light on the wonderfully odd, reminding us that a dose of humor can spark the imagination and lead to truly memorable science.
This year’s standout? The Physics Prize, awarded for research into “the physics of pasta sauce.” A group of Italian scientists collaborated on a study called “Phase Behavior of Cacio and Pepe Sauce,” and their simple yet practical finding: add just the right amount of starch to keep your sauce smooth and clump-free.
This is science you can actually use at dinner, and it captures the spirit of Night Science. As Dr. Fabrizio Olmeda, one of the authors, put it: “My motivation will always be to investigate phenomena that fascinate me, even if they lie outside my field of expertise.” He also praises the Ig Nobel motto—“first laugh, then think”—as a great way to spark creativity.
The joy in science that the Ig Nobel's celebrate is refreshing and an essential ingredient to discovery - why not check out what they do, and tell us your favorite Ig Nobel award in the Night Science Community?
