Zpannend Zernike science festival for young and old on 4 and 5 October

On Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 October, the Groningen science and technology sector will present itself on various locations across the city. In true tradition, Zpannend Zernike will take place in the Groningen city centre on Saturday. On Sunday, the place to be is Zernike Campus to the north of the city. Featuring over a 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. Admission is free. The programme lasts both days from 12 noon to 5 p.m. On Saturday 4 October, there will also be plenty to do at Campus Fryslân: various workshops, experiments and inspiring stories.

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. The varied programme will appeal to young and old alike. You can visit the Academy Building, the House of Connections at the Grote Markt, the UMCG, or the Young Researchers [de Jonge Onderzoekers], and, of course, the Zernike Campus on Sunday. 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? Extract DNA from a banana, or learn how to take a blood sample yourself! And what would you do if you were a judge? Would you like to build the city of your dreams, or become an energy hero? Perhaps taking part in a boat contest or tinkering with old clothes is more your thing.

Nature, technology, and energy

The fascinating world of nature, technology, and energy will take centre stage at Zernike Campus on Sunday 5 October. Come to know everything about the sun, the stars, and the planets at a Planetarium show for example. Do you know about the plastic particles in our Wadden Sea or the way a wind turbine works? What would it be like to fly a plane yourself, and what about the secret language of computers? Can you manage to escape from the AI Escape Room? Build the strongest structure? And who would not enjoy soldering their own satellite?

Campus Fryslân

On Saturday, Campus Fryslân in Leeuwarden will also be pulling out all the stops. Come along and be amazed by workshops, experiments and inspiring stories. Discover, learn and experience together how fascinating science can be. The program will be in Dutch.

Don't miss out on:
- Melanie During takes you back to the time of the dinosaurs
- Experience the world through the eyes of migratory birds with BirdEyes
- Step into VR and follow the journey of your water bottle with Omrin
- Meet bacteria up close – and take one home with you
- Discover amazing animals from far and near with Bert Natuur

For everyone from 8 to 88 years old – come and see, do and discover!
See the full program.

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, University Museum, Hanze University of Applied Sciences Groningen, UMCG, Faculty of Science and Engineering, EnTranCe, BuildinG, ZAP, TNO, DOT, SRON, Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, and de Jonge Onderzoekers.