From wolf droppings to your own inner world: discover science in Leiden and The Hague
Researchers Dietsje Jolles and Rachel Plak are helping bring science to a wider audience as ambassadors for the Weekend of Science on 3 and 4 October. They will join fellow researchers from Leiden University in introducing visitors to science through a range of hands-on activities and demonstrations.
Neuroscientist Jolles studies children’s brain development and learning processes, while behavioural scientist Plak studies autism in children. Both believe in engaging the public with science, and say they are honoured to serve as ambassadors for this national Weekend of Science (in Dutch).
Bringing science to a wider audience
‘We both think it’s important to bring science to a wider audience, especially children’, says Plak. ‘We want to show that science is all around us. Children should feel free to be curious, ask questions and discover that science can be part of their world too.’
‘It’s wonderful when children realise that science plays a role in everyday life and that there’s far more to it than experiments alone’, says Jolles. ‘Science festivals show how creative, fun and accessible science can be. They help foster curiosity and bring science closer to everyone.’
3 october in Leiden
Many other Leiden University researchers are also taking part in the Weekend of Science on 3 and 4 October. On 3 October, visitors can explore the Science Market in Leiden, with a wide range of interactive experiments and demonstrations. These include stepping into the shoes of a surgeon and learning to operate using a life-size Operation game, discovering how language affects the way we perceive smells, examining a real wolf dropping and training an AI model. Interested in joining? Visit the Science Market at Leiden Law School (Steenschuur 25) between 11.00 and 13.00.
4 october in The Hague
On 4 October, Jolles and Plak will present their research project, Expeditie Binnenwereld (Expedition Inner World), in The Hague. At Spui Campus, children and young people can explore their own inner world through interactive activities including a mini-game and building a talent pyramid. According to Jolles and Plak, these exercises help participants develop greater self-awareness. There will also be plenty of other activities, including an escape game about African languages, a mini-lecture on NATO and a maze designed to test spatial awareness. Join us at Spui 5 in The Hague between 13.00 and 17.00.
Why public engagement matters
Events like the Weekend of Science benefit researchers as much as the public, say Jolles and Plak. As Plak explains, public engagement often gives fresh perspectives and shows which questions really matter to people. Jolles adds that activities like these challenge researchers to explain their work in plain language, which helps them get to the heart of their research. Read more about their experiences in this kind of public event in From Lowlands to Weekend of Science.