Science for everyone thanks to STEM initiatives VITOpolis and Nerdland
Science isn’t just for scientists. At VITO, we believe it’s important to spark enthusiasm for science and technology across society.
We love sharing our knowledge with both young and old through science communication and a variety of STEM initiatives. By doing so, we not only showcase what VITO is working on but also highlight how science enriches our daily lives and helps to make our world thrive tomorrow. In recent months, our partnership with Nerdland and our very own pop-up expo, VITOpolis, have been fantastic examples of this effort.
Nerdland: 1,600 Families Visited Our “Store of Tomorrow”
Once again, we were part of the Nerdland Festival this year (May 25–26, 2024). Despite the bad weather, visitors of all ages eagerly lined up for our Store of Tomorrow. Around 1,600 families stopped by to see how we can make the future more sustainable. We are grateful to all who showed their enthusiasm. Together, we’ve taken another step towards a more sustainable world!
VITOpolis: Stops in Hasselt and Westerlo, Now in Mol
Our interactive pop-up expo on sustainable technology, VITOpolis, first opened its doors on March 16 during the FTI Festival in Hasselt. Over 600 visitors and 22 school classes joined us to explore the sustainable future together, marking a highly successful launch that left us eager for more!
From there, VITOpolis traveled to Westerlo, where it was set up in October at Kamp C, a center for sustainability and innovation in construction—an ideal match, as it turned out. Schools had the option to book an additional workshop from Kamp C to complement their visit to VITOpolis, while businesses could check out VITO’s water experience container, which was specially brought to Westerlo for the occasion. Once again, we welcomed many families and school groups, particularly during the Open Business Day event.
As of November 4, VITOpolis is officially open in our home base of Mol, inaugurated by Mayor Wim Caeyers. With over 1,000 bookings already, it’s clear that sustainability and science are alive and well in our community. During the Day of Science on November 24, we hosted around 150 enthusiastic visitors, inspiring them to help make our world more sustainable.
