Zpannend Zernike: The Groningen science festival for young and old!

Zpannend Zernike is the annual free science festival for primary school-aged children. Between 12 noon and 5 p.m. on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 October, there will be plenty to do and discover for children in Groningen – and parents, grandparents, and guardians won’t be disappointed either!

Programme

On Saturday 1 October you can explore the arts and sciences and medical sciences in the city centre of Groningen. Experience what it’s like to excavate ancient animal bones like a true zooarchaeologist, find out what the DNA of a banana looks like, or step into the shoes of a judge and decide whether someone is guilty or not! And who wouldn’t jump at the chance to learn how to program, solder, or build their own robot? Find out whether you’re an elite athlete, play with a robot, and discover how fireworks work! Join in with all kinds of experiments, challenges, and amazing science demonstrations that will be taking place at the Academy Building, Forum Groningen, the University Museum, the Young Researchers, DOT, ERIBA/UMCG, or at one of the other locations across the city.

On Sunday 2 October it’s the turn of Zernike Campus to host the fascinating world of natural science, technology, and energy. Carry out experiments in the fields of energy and movement, and discover how to build an earthquake-proof house. Or experience what the world looks like through VR glasses and take a dream flight in the flight simulator. UMCG-PARTREC, Bernoulliborg, the Kapteyn Institute, SRON, Hanze UAS Groningen, EnTranCe, ZAP, Building, WarmteStad, and TNO are looking forward to seeing you!

Answers Shop: Ask a scientist!

Can humans live to be 1,000 years old? How does energy work? Can we grow beetroot on Mars? Children now have the chance to get answers to all those questions they’ve always wanted to ask – all they have to do is submit them to the Answers Shop (Antwoordenwinkel). The most interesting questions will be discussed during Zpannend Zernike on Saturday 1 October in the city centre and Sunday 2 October on the Zernike Campus. Everyone who submits a question also stands a chance to appear on regional TV. This autumn, the regional channel RTV Noord will start airing the new science show Eva zoekt uit, in which TV maker Eva Hulscher will visit scientists to find out the answers to children’s questions. The questions submitted to the Answers Shop will also contend for a place on this new RTV Noord show.

So, what are you waiting for!? Submit your questions to www.zpannendzernike.nl/

National Science weekend

Zpannend Zernike is part of the national Science Weekend (Weekend van de Wetenschap) from Friday 30 September to Sunday 2 October. Zpannend Zernike will be preceded on Friday evening by the European Researchers’ Night in Forum Groningen. The theme of the night is Women & Science. More information about the programme can be found on our website.

The European Researchers’ Night and Zpannend Zernike are co-financed by the European Commission as part of the Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme (grant agreement no. 101060416).