CURAKNOW Science Festival Curaçao

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Deskubrí bo isla pa medio di siensia
Discover Your Island Through the Lens of Science

The Science Festival Awaits

Mark your calendars for September 25, 2026 at 4:00 PM when historic Riffort Village transforms into an interactive open-air laboratory for all ages.

25 SEP

Festival Date

4:00 PM

Opening

FREE

Free Entry

Find Out More
Science Squad

Scientists and Researchers visit Schools

25 September

Sci-Venture

Digital Scavenger Hunt

Science Festival

Science Labs, Demo's and the Science Fair

Year Round

19 October - 11 December

MAD SCIENCE FAIR: WASTE NOT, CURAÇAO EDITION

The Mad Science Fair is a hunt for the island's most brilliantly bonkers ideas, turning garbage into gadgets, goo into gas, and trash into treasure
LAB 1: Trash to Treasure

Use your creativity to think of products you normally throw away that you can make into something else. For example: Flip Flops from old tires

Three young children placing plastic water bottles into a green recycling bin outdoors to help protect the environment.
Three young children placing plastic water bottles into a green recycling bin outdoors to help protect the environment.
LAB 2: Power-Up

We can use wind, sun, and water to create energy. But did you know you can also make a battery out of a potato? We are looking for more brilliant experiments like that!

We know we can eat coconut meat and drink coconut water. But that would still mean you are throwing a big part of the coconut away. What else could we do with a coconut?

LAB 3: Coconut Challenge
Young students conducting a science experiment using an orange battery to learn about renewable energy and circuits.
Young students conducting a science experiment using an orange battery to learn about renewable energy and circuits.
Three diverse children drinking fresh coconut water through straws on a sunny tropical beach.
Three diverse children drinking fresh coconut water through straws on a sunny tropical beach.
Win Prizes for your school:

Sci-Venture

Digital Scavenger Hunt

On September 25th, the hunt begins: a digital scavenger hunt through Rif Fort Village in Willemstad’s historic center. Each clue connects participants with interesting facts and science and research happening across Curaçao, from the reef just offshore to the renewable energy on the horizon to the heritage beneath their feet.

Three teenagers with backpacks standing outdoors looking at a smartphone screen together in a city street.
Three teenagers with backpacks standing outdoors looking at a smartphone screen together in a city street.
Dowload the Flyer
How it works

Teams follow a digital clue trail on a smartphone

  • Clues lead through Rif Fort Village and historic Willemstad

  • Each stop connects to a real research story from the island

  • Teams of schools, friends or families compete to win prizes

Join us!

For Researchers

Reserve your spot as a researcher or scientist, or join as a school/class:

For Schools
Consortium Partners:
The Science Festival is made possible in collaboration with:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sci-Venture Digital Scavenger Hunt?

It is a digital clue trail through Rif Fort Village and historic Willemstad. Using a smartphone, participants solve challenges and discover research, science and surprising facts connected to Curaçao. One smartphone per team is enough.

How can my school participate?

Schools can participate in one or more CURAKNOW activities: the Mad Scientist Science Fair, the Sci-Venture Digital Scavenger Hunt, and Science Squad @ School. Participation is free. Use the school registration form to register your school or team.

What is Science Squad @ School?

Science Squad connects Curaçao researchers with local classrooms. Between October 19 and December 11, 2026, participating schools can invite a researcher for an in-person or online session where students learn about their work and ask questions.

I am a researcher. How can I get involved?

Researchers with a connection to Curaçao are invited to join CURAKNOW and help bring research closer to the community. Visit the For Researchers and Scientists page to see the available participation opportunities and register.

Can children attend without an adult?

Children and school groups should attend with appropriate adult supervision.

Where can I ask another question?

Contact the CURAKNOW team at info@curaknow.com or +599 9 738 6299.

What is CURAKNOW?

CURAKNOW is a two-year science and research engagement program that brings researchers, students, schools and the wider Curaçao community together. It is part of the European Researchers’ Night and Researchers at Schools initiatives funded through the European Union’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.

When and where is the CURAKNOW Science Festival?

The 2026 Science Festival takes place on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Renaissance Mall and Rif Fort Village in Willemstad. The current program runs from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Is the Science Festival free?

Yes. The Science Festival is free and open to the public. Families, students, teachers, researchers, and curious minds of all ages are welcome.

Do I need to register to visit the Science Festival?

General visitors do not need a ticket to enter the Festival. Registration is required for some activities, including school participation, Science Fair teams and researcher participation.

What can I do at the Science Festival?

You can meet researchers, experience hands-on science activities and demonstrations, explore different fields of research, visit the Mad Scientist Science Fair, take part in challenges, and join the Sci-Venture Digital Scavenger Hunt.

What is the Mad Scientist Science Fair?

The Mad Scientist Science Fair challenges student teams to investigate a question, experiment, create, and present their findings. In 2026, students can choose from three challenges: Trash to Treasure, Power-Up, and the Coconut Challenge.