Visit the Hubrecht on October 6th for the Weekend of Science!

On Sunday, October 6th, we are joining the Weekend of Science. The Hubrecht Institute will open its doors to everyone interested in science, together with the Westerdijk Institute and the Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht. Check out the activities you can take part in on this day below!

The Weekend of Science is the weekend when people of all ages across the Netherlands can get a behind-the-scenes look at science and technology. This year, during the Weekend of Science, we will focus on the question: ‘How does it work?’ Will you come and see what science can do?

We are participating on October 6, 2024
From 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Uppsalalaan 8, Utrecht
Coming by car? Please park at P&R Utrecht Science Park.

Utrecht - Weekend van de Wetenschap in het Hubrecht Institute. Foto Thijs Rooimans

1 Look through a microscope

Discover what zebrafish, worms, mini-organs, and more look like under the microscope!

2 Make a necklace or keycord with your DNA

The color of your eyes, your height, and the size of your feet—all these traits are determined by your DNA. Curious about what DNA looks like? Today, you can make a necklace or keycord with your own DNA inside. We challenge you to conduct your own experiment like a real scientist!

3 Seeing colors

Grass is green, and the sea is blue. But how can you actually see those colors? Our researchers will guide you through with fun games how your retina works.

4 A day as a scientist

Get to know our researchers! Play ‘Guess Who?’ and find out who they are and what they do all day. Think about what experiments you would like to conduct, discuss your ideas with the researchers, and ask all your questions!

5 Learn about different types of research

Throughout the day, various scientists will give mini-lectures about what they focus on in their research. Get a glimpse into their life in the lab and ask them anything you want to know!

6 What are proteins?

Learn what proteins are and how they contribute to a healthy life. Our researchers will show you, through a mini-lecture and computer models, what proteins look like and how they work as mini-robots in our bodies.

7 What do you look like as a scientist?

Take a photo as a scientist and stick it in your Hubrecht passport!

8 Coloring and craft corner

Have fun with a coloring page of a microscope or a cell, or create your own 3D bracelet!

Credit: Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute

See what activities you can do at the Westerdijk Institute!

What does a lab technician do at a fungal institute?

A talk by our technicians, Wendy Epping and Trix Merkx, where they explain what a technician does at a fungal institute like ours. Ask all your questions and join in on the knowledge quiz at the end.”

Fungal farts

Yeast is used to make bread or beer, but did you know that yeasts also “fart”? And how can you show (or hear??) that? And what does the yeast need for that to happen? Let’s have fun finding out together!

Soil research with your underwear – Fungi

What exactly lives beneath our feet? Utrecht Natuurlijk came up with this idea: grab a pair of underwear from your drawer and make sure it’s 100% cotton. Then bury it about 20 cm underground. Mark the spot, for example with a little flag. Wait two months, and then dig the underwear back up. And that’s exactly what we did. Curious to see what we found? Come take a look with Dr. Madalina Vita. And while you’re here, don’t miss the lecture by Dr. Jan Dijksterhuis on this topic. We’re also happy to show you what the fungi look like under a microscope!

Mushrooms!

Did you know that mushrooms are also fungi? Dr. Gerard Verkley will showcase a beautiful collection of mushrooms and can tell you all about them.

Soil research with your underwear

What exactly lives beneath our feet? Utrecht Natuurlijk came up with this idea: grab a pair of underwear from your drawer and make sure it’s 100% cotton. Then bury it about 20 cm underground. Mark the spot, for example with a little flag. Wait two months, and then dig the underwear back up. And that’s exactly what we did. Curious to see what we found? Dr. Jan Dijksterhuis will share fascinating stories and show his most beautiful photos. And while you’re visiting, stop by Dr. Madalina Vita, who can tell you even more about this research. We’d also love to show you what the soil fungi look like under a microscope!

See what fungi look like

Come and see the fungi that typically live in the soil under a microscope, because fungi are beautiful! Become a fan of fungi too—they totally deserve it! And while you’re here, Dr. Jan Dijksterhuis can tell you more in a lecture about everything that grows in the soil, and Dr. Madalina Vita will explain all about the “Research with Your Underwear” project (yes, it really exists!!).

Create your own fungus

Craft your own colorful fungus using pipe cleaners and beads, guided by our enthusiastic colleagues at the Westerdijk Institute!

See what activities you can do at the Regenerative Medicine Center!

Look through the eyes of a doctor

Did you know that there’s a dog in the Netherlands with a 3D-printed skull made by the 3D Lab? The 3D Lab designs and creates complex implants for special patients, both human and animal. They also use augmented reality to prepare surgeons for such unique procedures. Want to learn more? Come to the 3D Lab. See and feel the implants they make, and put on an AR headset to look through the eyes of a doctor! Organized by the 3D Lab at UMC Utrecht.

Learn all about mini-organs

Organoids are mini-organs grown in the lab from cells of people like you and me. These mini-organs closely resemble real organs, making them very useful for research. They help us better understand diseases and find improved treatments. At this UMC Utrecht stand, you can look at your own cells under the microscope, just like a researcher! So come by and discover how we grow these organoids and how they can help heal people. Organized by the Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht at UMC Utrecht.

Printing cells and tissues

Did you know that you can 3D print cells and tissues? This is currently used in laboratories to better understand diseases. But hopefully, in the future, researchers will be able to replace tissues as well. At this UMC Utrecht stand, there will be a special 3D printer, and researchers can tell you all about it. You can see and feel what they can already create. You can also ask your questions at the HelpdeskRM. So make sure to stop by! Organized by the Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht at UMC Utrecht.

Curious what other activities you can do at Utrecht Science Park? Check out all the activities of the Weekend of Science here.