UG submits three research projects for Klokhuis Science Prize

This year, the UG Pre-University Academy has submitted three studies for the Klokhuis Science Prize. This prize honours interesting and relevant academic research for children aged 9 to 12 years.

On 28 January, the top 10 will be announced and as from 24 February, the public may vote for the research project they believe deserves the 2025 Klokhuis Science Prize. A special science episode of the TV programme Het Klokhuis will be dedicated to the winning research project. The award ceremony will take place on Sunday 16 March 2025 at the InScience Festival in Nijmegen.

Who are the UG researchers behind the projects?

Dr Raffaela Carloni from the Faculty of Science and Engineering. She designed a bionic leg that moves just like a healthy leg. Freedom of movement is important for children and this robotics research demonstrates the potential for children to move and participate comfortably, even when wearing a prosthesis.

Dr Willemien de Kock from the Faculty of Arts. She researches sea turtles and shows that archaeology is anything but stuffy. Her work helps children understand why it is so important to preserve the habitats of these animals; the home they have been dwelling in for centuries.

Prof. Elkan Akyürek from the Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences. In his research, Akyürek shows that it is much smarter to detect who does know something than to try to discover who is lying. This allows a child to understand how measuring brain activity could be used to solve crimes in the future — exciting!

If you want to know more about the prize and check out last year’s winners go to the Klokhuis website.

More information

• Raffaella Carloni
• Willemien de Kock
• Elkan Akyürek