FOOD IQ · FOOD IQ. Eat out knowledge on European Researchers? Night 2021

Food for Thought is a project that promotes science and scientists around the topic of healthy food in an interactive, accessible and innovative way. Our main goal is to teach residents of the Northern Netherlands, of all ages, more about healthy food, the impact of science on public health and about researchers and their profession. The project exists of three parts:Main event: Aletta’s KitchenAletta’s Kitchen is an entertaining and educational show designed to involve researchers and the audience to build a bridge between these two worlds. Named after a renowned Dutch persona of the medical field, Aletta Jacobs, the show invites multidisciplinary researchers to share their research findings connected to the topic of Food for Thought. Two different shows will be created; one as part of the education programme and one for adult residents of the region.Pre-event: Education programOur education program will teach children not only about food but also about the science of it. It is important that children know that food takes time to grow, that milk comes from a cow and a tomato grows on a plant. But also what their own food environment looks like and what food does in the body. As part of the program researchers will visit the schools to talk about their knowledge and research regarding the topic. By bringing researchers closer to the children we increase their awareness of research, creating an understanding of the impact of researchers’ work on their daily life and to encourage the pupils to embark on research careers. Installation An interactive installation facilitates accessible encounters between public health researchers and other residents of the Northern Netherlands. The visitor will gain insight into the process of knowledge development and the role of science in everyday life. Moreover, the visitor experiences how he/she can - directly or indirectly - take more control of her own health and the people around her.