During Meet the Professor, grade 7 and 8 students meet real scientists. They talk in class about their work, their research and what makes them curious. In this way, students discover in an accessible way what science actually is and what you do as a scientist.
Image of a scientist
The schools prepare in advance with teaching materials from Wetenschapsknooppunt Amsterdam. Students learn in a playful way about science and think of questions for their guest teacher. They also think about their image of a scientist: is that actually true?
On the day itself, the scientists are seen off together, after which they go to the schools by bicycle. In class they will talk to the students and share their experiences. Afterwards, the scientists come together again to look back on the day.
With this initiative, the organizers want to increase children's curiosity about science and show that a scientist can be very different. Through this meeting, students may also be able to recognize themselves in such a role. At the same time, it helps scientists stay in touch with society. Thus, Meet the Professor Amsterdam contributes to more interest in science and more confidence in scientific knowledge.
"Children who are introduced to science today can tomorrow ask the questions that will help us move forward. Their curiosity is our future. Meet the Professor is a great way to spark that curiosity and show that science is something you can be a part of yourself," said Jeroen Geurts, rector magnificus of VU Amsterdam.
Participating scientists from VU Amsterdam
Astrid Bakker, professor of Oral Cell Biology
Elsje van Bergen, associate professor of biological psychology
Sandjai Bhulai, professor of Business Analytics
Luigi Corrias, associate professor of Philosophy of Law
Yarin Eski, associate professor of Public Administration
Marco van Gelderen, associate professor of psychology of entrepreneurial skills
Annemiek Hammer, associate professor of Language, Literature and Communication
Frank van Harmelen, professor of Knowledge Representation and Reasoning
Mariëtte Huizinga, associate professor of Educational Sciences
Alexa Laheij, associate professor of Oral Medicine
Marike van der Leeden, associate professor of Rehabilitation Medicine
Paul Muller, associate professor of economics
Mirjam Pijnappels, professor of Mobility in the Elderly
Dagmar Else Slot, professor of prevention in oral care
Joris van Wijk, Professor of Criminology of Conflict-Related Crime and Post-Conflict Justice
Watch the video showing how Professor of Computer Science Education Felienne Hermans gave her guest lecture during last year's edition here.