Festival
Mighty microscopy
- Date
- Saturday 22 October 2022 - Monday 24 October 2022
- Location
- Rijksmuseum Boerhaave
First you can use a replica of one of the very first microscopes, a Van Leeuwenhoek microscope. Will you be able to see anything through the tiny lens? That's where it all started... then look through a modern microscope and see how far we've come! With our digital microscopes you can count insect hairs, see live how sweat on your skin is produced and evaporates, and inspect butterfly wings. Don't forget to bring things from home to examine!
Now that you know where we have come from, let's look at the quests we are undertaking with the help of microscopy. We will tell you about the special MARBLES project. Researchers go very deep into the sea - between the fish, algae and sponges - looking for useful microbes. These are organisms that you can only see with a microscope. And with those microbes, they can do very important things, like develop new medicines and ways to improve agriculture.
If you want to know more about the bacterial world and how scientists are trying to uncover Mother Nature's secrets and apply them to human, animal and plant health, come and see us!
What can you do?
- The world up close - compare a van Leeuwenhoek microscope with our modern-day microscopes to see and learn about the microscopic world!
- Test your knowledge with a microscopy quiz! For children from 7 years old.
- See real marine microbes with a real microscope and learn why they are so important.
- How well do you clean your hands? Grow bacteria from your hands on agar plates that you can take home and see the differences in the bacteria that grow before and after washing your hands!
General information
For whom: For children from 4 years of age with parents/carers, the quiz is fun for children from 7 years of age. Apart from the quiz, each part is also suitable for English-speaking visitors.
When: 22 to 24 October from 10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Registration is not necessary, you can join if there is room. This event is free with a valid admission ticket