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Generation Discover Festival 2019: Sparking Kids' Interest in Science and Technology

I've always been passionate about science and technology, which is why I've championed the Generation Discover Festival for years. It returned in 2019, and my daughter Lotte and I attended to explore the impressive lineup firsthand.

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Generation Discover Festival 2019

As a parent deeply interested in STEM, I believe it's crucial for children to engage with science and technology early. Today's kids take modern innovations for granted, unaware of the ingenuity behind them. With future challenges in sustainability ahead, we need innovative young minds. That's why the festival targets ages 8-14, though younger children can join many activities.

This free event runs from October 2-6, 2019, at Rotterdam Ahoy—perfect for indoor experiments regardless of weather. Ample space allows hands-on exploration across science and tech.

Getting to Know Sustainability, the Environment, and Technology

Instilling tech enthusiasm in my children, while fostering environmental respect, tops my priorities. The Bright Ideas Challenge ties in perfectly, and the festival delivers similar inspiration.

Lotte and I experienced engaging, educational activities. Lotte designed an eco-friendly future boat with solar panels and windmills, unleashing her creativity.

We sorted plastics to learn recycling basics—what happens in waterways and why types differ. Our guide expertly explained it all.

Lotte also built circuits lighting a bulb via dynamo, solar panels, or battery—mastering connections, switches, and electricity flow. Watching a 10-year-old grasp these concepts was thrilling.

The dino farm, giant soap bubbles, and birdhouse crafting added fun. But nothing beats launching a rocket or building a saltwater-powered car!

What Is There to Do at the Generation Discover Festival 2019?

Options abound—we arrived at 2 PM and left at closing (5 PM) without seeing it all.

  1. The city of the future: Design your house or boat.
  2. Build and race a saltwater-powered car.
  3. Mini-lab experiments.
  4. Fly drones.
  5. Play robot soccer.
  6. Magnet fishing.
  7. Generate energy in the silent disco.
  8. Operation Maasstad: Navigate laser maze with night-vision goggles.
  9. Explore the car of the future.
  10. Science shows.
  11. Track a cybercriminal.
  12. Much more.

Arrive early to maximize time— we wished for a second visit!

Who Organizes the Generation Discover Festival 2019 and Why?

For its fourth year, Shell, Staatsbosbeheer, NEMO, Police, and Jet-Net & Technet collaborate to immerse kids in science and technology, sparking creativity and innovation.

Tech evolves rapidly; tomorrow's youth will shape a sustainable world. This playful introduction equips them beautifully.

More information about this free festival can be found here