Zpannend Zernike is around the corner again

On Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October, the Groningen science and technology sector will present itself on more than 15 locations around the city and two locations in Leeuwarden. In true tradition, on Saturday Zpannend Zernike will take place in the Groningen city centre. On Sunday, the place to be is Zernike Campus to the north of the city. More than 100 activities for primary school-aged children, their parents, and grandparents: experiments, a glimpse behind the scenes, mini lectures, movies, and much more. On the website zpannendzernike.nl , you will find a complete overview of all activities and entry is free. Both days last from 12 noon to 5 p.m. In Leeuwarden, the Weekend of Science will take place on Saturday at Dbieb and Campus Fryslân, and runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. You can find the schedule here .

Wonder

It is of course impossible to visit all activities. Every visitor will just have to immerse themselves in the wonder, as that is what it is all about: fascination for science and technology. Because of the varied programme, there is something for everyone. You can go to the Academy Building and the Röling Building, the House of Connections at the Grote Markt, or the UMCG. And on Sunday you will go to the Zernike Campus of course. Become a language astronaut, go fossil hunting, or invent the laws that the Netherlands needs. Meet a robot or build one yourself, or participate in the ‘disassemble a smartphone’ workshop. Do you know how to write your name in Greek or Hebrew? Play jigsaw with organs, discover the miracles of a microscope, and play life-size Operation!

The junior court

This year, the Röling Building, home of the Faculty of Law, is joining the fun for the first time. In the special junior court, questions will be answered such as: Is it a criminal offence when you send someone a poisoned cake but someone else accidentally eats it? How about when you do something illegal because of a brain disease, do you deserve to be punished? In our junior court, we will look at a number of criminal cases. What would you do if you were a judge?

Looking for solutions

In the House of Connections at the Grote Markt, scientists will show children and their parents, and/or grandparents how to look for solutions to the great challenges of our time, such as climate change, clean energy, or healthy ageing.

The fascinating world of nature, technology, and energy

That world takes centre stage at Zernike Campus on Sunday 6 October. Come to know everything about the sun, the stars, and the planets. Conduct experiments in the field of energy and movement. Experience what the world looks like through VR glasses and enjoy a dream flight in the flight simulator! During the ‘How it’s built’ workshop, you are introduced to various natural resources and materials used when building a house. Or experience how the whiskers of a seal work by placing 3D-printed whiskers in a water basin and feeling the quivers they generate. And who would not enjoy soldering their own satellite?

Interactive science in Leeuwarden

Science journalist Diederik Jekel, known from programmes like Zapplive and Jekels Jacht, will be attending the spectacular opening of National Science Weekend at Campus Fryslân. He’ll guide you through the fascinating world of science. In addition, you can get hands-on with various activities in Leeuwarden. Hop on the Blender Bike from Science LinX and pedal your way to a fresh smoothie. You can also explore whether viruses are your friends or foes in the interactive Klein Venijn installation. Play an exciting game with a partner, trying to catch the good bacteria while avoiding the harmful ones. Or visit the interactive exhibition to discover the world of olives. Learn more about something you use every day but may not fully understand yet, and take a trip to Leeuwarden! The full programme can be found here.

National Science Weekend

Zpannend Zernike is part of the national Science Weekend. The activities in Groningen are organized by the University of Groningen, House of Connections, Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society, Faculty of Philosophy, Doopsgezinde Kerk, University Museum, Faculty of Law / Röling Building, Hanze, UMCG, Faculty of Science and Engineering, EnTranCe, BuildinG, ZAP, TNO/DNV, DOT, and de Jonge Onderzoekers [Young Researchers].