ASTRON receives Regio Deal grant for outreach activities in the region
"We hope to inspire girls from Drenthe to pursue science and technology"
At the end of last year, ASTRON received a grant from the national Regio Deal II Programme, the province of Drenthe, and the Municipality of Westerveld. ASTRON is using this funding, among other things, to develop two Open Science Hubs in Dwingeloo and Exloo, specifically aimed at pupils in primary and secondary education.
Events coordinator Ellemijn Bos spoke to Inside NWO-I about how ASTRON is using the grant to actively involve pupils and residents of Drenthe in space research, and to inspire them to look beyond the world they know.
What exactly are Open Science Hubs?
“At ASTRON, we are developing two Open Science Hubs in the region: De Oerknal (the Big Bang) in Exloo and De Melkweg (The Milky Way) in Dwingeloo. We hope to reopen De Melkweg soon. De Oerknal is an escape room designed for children in the upper years of primary school and the lower years of secondary schoolfrom about 10-14 years old. Through various challenges and puzzles, pupils learn about the past, present and future of the universe, and how we, for example, conduct research into the cosmos using the LOFAR radio telescope. We are also using the grant to further develop and shape De Melkweg in Dwingeloo, which is located in Huis van Drenthe, a multifunctional centre.”
Why do you, as an NWO Institute, consider it important to be active in the region?
“Unlike other regions that are home to NWO Institutes, ASTRON is the only scientific institute in the province of Drenthe. This means that children in Drenthe don’t automatically have access to science and technology in their everyday environment. We therefore feel it’s our responsibility to inspire young people in Drenthe through our space research. In doing so, we also hope to inspire girls to pursue science and technology. Many girls in Drenthe tend to choose careers in healthcare, for instance, but this way, they might be inspired to consider a future in technology as well.”
How does ASTRON take on this regional role in Drenthe?
“For example, by inviting school classes to visit our Open Science Hubs and ASTRON itself, and by engaging volunteers to help guide the pupils. We’re also working with students from the Noorderpoort vocational college’s Graphic Design programme to help shape the Hubs. We find it important to engage not just university students, but also students in higher professional (HBO) and secondary vocational (MBO) education. We have, for example, collaborated with Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, where students in teacher training programmes have developed an educational package tailored to both Open Science Hubs. And through the working group ‘Dwingeloo Beleef de Ruimte’ (in English: Experience Space in Dwingeloo), we also work with local entrepreneurs.”
What do you personally enjoy about your work as an events coordinator at ASTRON?
“I have a very creative job, and no two days are ever the same. One day I might be working with a school class, the next I’m organising a symposium for a group of scientists. I get to come up with lots of ideas myself, and I really enjoy collaborating with others to create such a wide variety of events. One of the highlights of the year is definitely our annual open day in October [Weekend of Science], which always attracts a large crowd.”
What are ASTRON’s future plans when it comes to outreach?
“We’re currently preparing to apply for another Regio Deal II grant, together with partners in the region. The aim is to reach even more schools and to spark greater interest in science, technology and circularity – also beyond the borders of Drenthe. Personally, I’d love to take over the whole of the North, haha. And what I’d also find really exciting is expanding the Open Science Hubs to include more targeted groups – for instance, people with disabilities.”
Text: Annemieke Arendsen
Newsletter Inside NWO-I, May 2025
You can find the archive of the newsletter Inside NWO-I on the NWO-I website.