Normally, the Huygens Building on the Heyendaalseweg is used exclusively for research by the Faculty of Science, but especially for Science Weekend, researchers from across the university will be conducting science throughout the building. Sijbrand de Jong, Dean of the Faculty, says: ‘We try to open our doors to the public as often as possible to show what we’re researching and just how wonderful and interesting scientific research is. During this weekend, we hope to show everyone what’s happening here on campus and why it’s important.’
Greenhouses and planetarium
Based on the theme ‘making the invisible visible’, there is a whole host of activities on the programme. For example, visitors can tour various laboratories and the greenhouses. ‘Our planetarium dome will also be open, and there’ll be a mobile planetarium where people can experience just how fascinating space is,’ adds De Jong. ‘You can also learn all about the brain at the Donders Brain Institute, explore optical illusions and see how an exoskeleton works. Tim the Ranger, known from TV, will be hosting an animal quiz where children can learn a lot.’
De Jong is particularly pleased that the event is being organised in collaboration with various partners from the region. ‘Science is everywhere, not just at Radboud University. For example, at our faculty, you can build bridges with spaghetti and make hand soap with HAN, while De Jonge Onderzoekers Nijmegen organises a workshop on making LED lamp balls. At HFML-FELIX, you can see the particle accelerator, and at B-WARE, you can study the soil beneath our grass. That’s just a selection of the activities: there’s plenty to do for everyone.’
The Huygens Building, the greenhouses, the Goudsmit Pavilion and the FORUM will be open on 3 October from 11.00 to 17.00. The Babylab is open from 09.30 to 12.00. Mercator III is open from 11.00 to 16.00, and HFML-FELIX from 10.00 to 15.00. You don’t need to register, and all activities are free. For more information, visit the Radboud University website or weekendvandewetenschap.nl.