VUB Introduces Children to the World of Science and Technology at the I Love Science Festival and CurieuCity

Today marks the school day of the sixth edition of the I Love Science Festival in Brussels. Various groups of schoolchildren are traveling to the capital to explore more than 60 exciting science stands. CurieuCity will open its doors on October 12 at the House of Cultures in Molenbeek for a special edition, alongside the I Love Science Festival, featuring a program focused on robotics.

October 11, 2024

The Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is participating in both events, as the university considers it essential to introduce young children to science and critical thinking in a playful way to prepare them for the future. The VUB also encourages children and attending teachers to engage in conversations with its professors during the events.

The VUB sees children as the leaders of tomorrow, tasked with solving societal challenges. For this reason, the university views its involvement in the I Love Science Festival as a key opportunity. “As a scientific and educational institution, it is our duty to promote STEM studies, given the high demand for technical talent. We want to inspire children to choose STEM education in the future, in a way that is accessible and engaging,” said Jan Danckaert, Rector of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

Several VUB experts, spread across multiple stands, invite children to explore their fields in fun and accessible ways. Schoolchildren will learn how to land on Mars, play football using math with the VUB Kinderuniversiteit on Tour, discover how to make sound visible with an acoustic camera, try on an exoskeleton, become real Crime Scene Investigators using microfluidic technology to identify a criminal, build a water rocket with VUB experts, step into the role of a LEGO city planner, experiment with light in magical ways, and escape from the VUB-Crypto Escape by solving cryptography puzzles.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can immerse themselves in the world of science and technology at the I Love Science Festival, held at Tour & Taxis, Avenue du Port 88, Brussels. All practical information is available on the website: https://www.ilovescience.brussels/en/home.

The World of Robots at CurieuCity

This arts and science festival offers interactive shows, creative workshops, and immersive experiences to explore robotics in all its forms, combining technological innovation with artistic creativity.

Visitors can enjoy fun physics and chemistry shows, discover Ugo Dehaes’ Simple Machines performance featuring robot dancers, and unravel the secrets of cryptography in a coding workshop. From making robot costumes with Precy Numbi and Fablab’ke to tasting 3D-printed pancakes, the day promises to be full of discoveries for a young audience.

Join us on Saturday, October 12, at the House of Cultures, Rue Mommaerts 4, Molenbeek.

The full program is available at: www.curieuCity.brussels.