Utrecht Science Park summer café dedicated to 900 million years of plant evolution
On a sunny day in July, the Utrecht Science Park Summer Café took place at the Botanical Gardens, the largest academic botanical garden in the Netherlands. This edition focused on the evolution of plants.
After a warm welcome by Fenna Hanraets and Jan Henk van der Velden, attendees were given an insight into the latest research and developments within the Botanical Gardens. The audience was taken into the story behind the plant world and the creation of a special new addition to the gardens: the Evolution Garden.
This new garden offers visitors a green time travel of no less than 900 million years. From the first simple Green algae to the more complex Flower Plants, the Evolution Garden shows how plants developed over the centuries and what role they played in the evolution of life on Earth. Visitors learned how and when certain plants originated and what their significance has been for the ecosystem.
The meeting not only offered inspiration and knowledge, but was also an opportunity to meet and strengthen the mutual connection within the Utrecht Science Park. The organisation looks back on a successful Summer Café, made possible in part by the hospitality of the Botanical Gardens and the commitment of the speakers and tour guides.
Utrecht Science Week: Art and science unite at the Betweter Festival on 25 September
From 25 September to 4 October, the Utrecht Science Park will be alive with curiosity and exploration during the annual Utrecht Science Week. For over a week, the Utrecht Science Park opens its doors to everyone interested in both applied and fundamental science. In close collaboration with various partners, a diverse programme is put together, with special focus on themes such as sustainability and health.
Record number of children from across the province of Utrecht meet researchers
A morning spent interviewing, pipetting or philosophising with researchers from Utrecht. That’s what 3,400 children from Utrecht did on the morning of Wednesday 1 April during the eleventh edition of Meet the Professor. 280 researchers from Utrecht cycled to primary schools in the city and surrounding area to show the children who they are, what they do and what sparks their curiosity. In pairs, because research is something you do together.
Inspiring and connecting visit by the President of Estonia to Utrecht Science Park
On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the President of Estonia, Mr. Alar Karis, together with his wife Sirje Karis and a delegation from the Estonian Health Ecosystem, visited the Utrecht Science Park. During the visit, much knowledge was exchanged and valuable connections were made.