Zpannend Zernike: backstage in the wondrous world of science and technology

On Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October 2019, the city of Groningen is staging Zpannend Zernike: Groningen’s contribution to the national Science Weekend. Prepare to be amazed by the world, humankind and nature. Curiosity and wonder, crafts and creativity, sensory perception and physical effort, questions and reflection: these are the ingredients that make Zpannend Zernike such a resounding success year after year, for young and old. Special to this year is public research into the knowledge of proverbs and sayings: ‘Maak dat de kat wijs’ (‘Yeah, right’).

Saturday 5 October: Groningen’s city centre

On Saturday, activities will be held in the city centre at six spots: the UG Academy Building, University Museum, UMCG-ERIBA and the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences, as well as foundation De Jonge Onderzoekers (Young Researchers) and DOT. The Your Future Energy science truck will be parked at the Ossenmarkt. In the Academy Building, a science festival for children will be held. “What a farmer doesn’t know, they won’t eat”. But is this true? And does a good listener “only need to hear half of a word” to be able to understand? Together with young researchers from the Young Academy Groningen, visitors will be able to test whether certain sayings and proverbs are true. In the specially organized North Pole room, you will be able to learn everything there is to know about the North Pole. And you’ll also get a (free) ice cream!

In the University Museum, children can craft a world map and visit the Dead Zoo. In the Heymans building, you can experience the effects of an earthquake yourself. At ERIBA, allow yourself to be locked in an Escape Room, or extract your DNA from a banana. Children can roll up their sleeves with the Young Researchers, and DOT presents a spectacular planetarium show in the 3D dome theatre.

Sunday 6 October: Zernike Campus Groningen

On Sunday, the Zernike Campus will be in the spotlight. On Sunday afternoon, visitors are invited to various locations at the Zernike Campus, such as the Bernouilliborg building and KVI-CART, to explore the wonders of technology, energy, sustainability, innovation and space. Children can test their own constructions on a vibration table or guide their hand-made Lego robot around a circuit. But you can also make your own lip stick with natural colouring, turn on a light using a solar cell or take a look at the world through VR headset! And, of course, the mobile planetarium is also returning.

‘Maak dat de kat wijs!’

Together with UG language researchers Simone Sprenger and Jacolien van Rij, the national Science Weekend is organizing a large-scale public research study: ‘Maak dat de kat wijs’ (a Dutch expression that can be roughly translated as ‘Yeah, right’ or ‘I don’t believe a thing of it’). Which proverbs and expressions do Dutch people still know today? And are there differences in age and region?

On Saturday 5 October, the scientists from ‘Maak dat de kat wijs’ will be in the Academy Building. Test your knowledge of proverbs and sayings, and play a game of Hints with a professional ‘proverbs actor’. On Sunday 6 October, the researchers will be in the Bernoulliborg building.

About Zpannend Zernike

Zpannend Zernike is an initiative of the University of Groningen, Hanze University of Applied Sciences, the UMCG and EnTranCe. The free two-day event is organized every October.

• Saturday 5 October in the city centre of Groningen
• Sunday 6 October at the Zernike Campus in Groningen
• Activities will be held on both days between 12 noon and 5 p.m.
• Entrance is free!

For more information, see www.zpannendzernike.nl.