On 3 October, during the national Science Weekend, Radboud University will open its doors so that everyone can get a taste of science. Together with, amongst others, HAN University of Applied Sciences, the Donders Institute, the Max Planck Institute’s Babylab, HFML-FELIX, B-WARE, The Launch and other partners, the university is organising a programme from 11.00 to 17.00, during which anyone can drop by to take part in experiments, watch a spectacular science show and have a go at an animal quiz with forest ranger Tim.
Huygens Building, Radboud University
The Huygens Building on Heyendaalseweg is normally where research by the Faculty of Science takes place, but especially for Science Weekend, researchers from across the university will be in the halls. Sijbrand de Jong, Dean of the Faculty: ‘We are delighted to open our doors to the public to show what we are researching, how beautifully and interestingly everything fits together, and how exciting it is to discover these things. Over the course of this weekend, we’ll be showing everyone, young and old, what’s going on here on campus and why it’s important.’
Greenhouses and planetarium
Under 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 will be a mobile planetarium where people can experience just how fascinating space is,’ adds De Jong. ‘In addition, at the Donders Brain Institute, you can learn all about the brain, explore illusions and see how an exoskeleton works. Tim the Forest Ranger, known from TV, will be hosting an animal quiz where children can show off what they already know and learn things they didn’t know before.’
De Jong is particularly pleased that this event is being organised in collaboration with various partners from the region. ‘Science is everywhere, not just at Radboud University. For example, at HAN you can build bridges out of spaghetti and make hand soap, whilst the Young Researchers Nijmegen are organising a workshop on making LED lamp balls. At HFML-FELIX, you can see a real 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, HFML-Felix, the greenhouses and the FORUM will be open on 3 October from 11.00–17.00. The baby lab will be open from 09.30–12.00. No registration is required and all activities are free of charge. For more information, visit weekendvandewetenschap.nl and search for Radboud University.
70 years of Radboudumc
Radboudumc is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year. On Sunday 4 October, during Science Weekend, you can discover how research, education and care are shaping the healthcare of tomorrow. As a leading research institution, Radboudumc has been a key driver of innovation, talent development and health in the Lifeport region for 70 years.
Open Day programme, 4 October: Open Day 2026 – Radboudumc
