The European Researchers’ Night (ERN) takes place simultaneously across Europe on the last Friday of September to celebrate and research science. Events are organised in hundreds of cities across Europe. In the Netherlands, activities were only held in Groningen this year.
Host venue Forum Groningen and four Schools for Science and Society from the University of Groningen organised the science festival on the European initiative’s behalf. The festival included experiments, science shows, science battles, music, dance, and a nice drink, thus generating a great vibe and offering something for everyone. Like in the previous year, the 2024 edition was sold out.
Staff of the Dutch GenB partner BTG together with GenB Ambassadors based in the Netherlands exhibited at the science festival, representing the GenB project and in collaboration with the 3-CO project, introducing bioeconomy concepts to a diverse audience.
Festival visitors of all ages were invited to an experiment allowing them to feel, smell and discover biomass and bio-based products. They were challenged to feel samples of different types of biomasses, invisibly hidden in cardboard tubes, and make the connection with samples of bio-based products made from that specific biomass material. Players that made the proper connections were rewarded with a bio-based gift.
Whilst they were busy completing this challenge, the BTG team engaged with them, talking about opportunities and other issues related to Bioeconomy, but also answering questions like: what is kapok? How do you produce cleaning agent from citrus fruit peels?
Visitors were additionally informed through a small exhibition of bio-based products, the Dutch version of the “What’s bioeconomy” book for kids, the official GenB gadgets and recent GenB project outcomes. Coffee notebooks and colouring and activity booklets were handed out to interested visitors. The use of these materials helped to stimulate the engagement and learning of participants of all ages.
The results of the work of a video- and photographer who captured the evening are accessible here.
GenB activities in the context of the ERN showcases the importance of making complex scientific research accessible to a wider audience, successfully bringing science closer to the public, showing how research affects our daily lives and increasing the interest of young people in scientific and research careers.