No time like the present to start encouraging your child(ren)’s interest in science and technology. Luckily, several great events are taking place in the Netherlands.
Night of Discoveries: Leiden, September 17, 2022
This special night will feature “performances, exhibitions, debates, workshops, and inspiring lectures by young creators” at different venues in Leiden. Visit a mobile planetarium, an Animaltroniek installation of transparent technology, 3D models of human tissue and disease and more. The Night of Discoveries is part of the ‘European City of Science Leiden2022’ celebrations.
Girl Up’s 2022 STEM for Social Good Tour: virtual event, September 24, 2022
This free, two-hour event (a United Nations Foundation initiative) for girls and young women ages 13 – 24 will provide a great introduction to design thinking in the context of solving community challenges. Participants will learn about important women in the design thinking field, different careers related to design thinking, and be challenged to develop a STEM-centered solution related to a real-world community problem. The event will be hosted in English, with closed captioning in German. (As the organization states, it is a great CV builder.)
The Space Week: Dutch Space Region, September 25 – October 2, 2022
During this first edition, young and old can visit the Dutch space region (from Leiden to Noordwijk) and learn about space technology and data. Learn about gravity and light to astrophotography and aliens at the Leiden Observatory. Join a citizen science project documenting light pollution in your neighbourhood. Learn about space missions and invisible gravitation waves. The Space Week is part of the ‘European City of Science Leiden2022’ celebrations.
EducationUSA College Fair: Utrecht, September 26, 2022
For high school students interested in studying at an American university, Fulbright The Netherlands is hosting an EducationUSA College Fair on Monday, September 26 at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht. It will be an in-person event so teens and their parents can meet face-to-face with representatives from more than 25 American universities and colleges and learn about programs, admissions, scholarships, etc. Discover more about science, technology, engineering and math programs. Admission is free but registration is required.
Weekend van de Wetenschap 2022: across the Netherlands, October 1&2, 2022
During this annual event, participants will get a unique look behind the scenes at scientific and technology-oriented organizations and are allowed to visit places that are normally not open to the public. Kids (8+) and adults will meet real scientists, engineers, technologists and other specialists and try their hand at art restoration, scientific experiments and lab tests. Takes place across the Netherlands.
Solar Biennale 2022: Rotterdam, September 9 – October 30, 2022
Rotterdam is hosting the world’s first solar biennale. Instead of focusing on economic and technological angles which is the current approach, this event is exploring how to get people to embrace solar energy as an important and normal part of their lives. Some highlights:
– solar-related consumer products: art, textiles, wearables and designer products such as Sunne, the self-powered solar light that harvests energy from the sun during the day and then illuminates at night
– exhibition at the Nieuwe Instituut: “The Energy Show – Sun, Solar and Human Power”
Great for high school students interested in sustainability and art and design, engineering, architecture and social studies.