Food for Thought: Get to know various education initiatives

Various education projects

New at the OnderwijsFestival (or back again!) is the inspiration market Food for Thought. Come and get inspired, participate in, and exchange with colleagues showcasing the coolest education projects during lunch and the timeslot of the workshop round afterwards. There are various inspiration points present, and an important recharging point: a massage!

Lili's Proto Lab

Lili's Proto Lab (makerspace of Utrecht University, which also designed this year's Teacher Award trophy!) would love to introduce you to prototyping. Ever seen someone busy with wires, sensors and code and thought: I can't do that? You can! We will show you how you too can program a circuit, or how a 3D printer works, or introduce you to prototyping. Do you want more after that or would you like to make something yourself for your research? Then you are very welcome in Lili's Proto Lab itself! 

ZombieAnts VR

Step into the world of ZombieAnts in our exciting VR game! In this immersive Virtual Reality Videogame, you will play as the fungal parasitic (Ophiocordyceps) hivemind, manipulating ant behavior to ensure your own survival. Explore the fungal life cycle, how it controls the ant, and how ant colonies function. Additionally, we highlight the importance of gamification in education and outreach to teach and communicate science to the public.

Explore the IDG Card Deck and Tools! 

We’ll introduce you to engaging tools and activities, including our IDG Card Deck created to inspire self-reflection and dialogue around the Inner Development Goals (IDGs). Spin the wheel, draw a card, and explore reflective questions that will deepen your understanding of these goals—either individually or in conversation with others. Join us to explore the broad list of our Transition Makers Tools, that can support you on design education for societal change, focused on affective and transdisciplinary learning. Whether you’re curious about new tools for growth, looking to connect with colleagues, or simply ready to be inspired, our Inspiration Point offers something for everyone. Come explore, reflect, and discover how these tools can support your journey of development and collaboration.

Dive into various Virtual Reality worlds

Experience the power of Virtual Reality (VR) during the inspiration market! Be inspired by didactically based practical examples, such as the ‘Virtual Ship Experience’ from Oceanography, where you experience a virtual tour on a ship. In addition, test your communication skills with three unique VR experiences: two communication trainings to strengthen your conversation skills and a serious game communication training. Seize this opportunity to discover how VR can enrich your education and development. Don't miss it and join us!

Community Engaged Learning: Pressure Cooker

Are you wondering how to collaborate with community partners in your education? The Community Engaged Learning (CEL) team will be at the market for you to think in pressure cooker format about how to collaborate with these partners. So you will leave with an initial idea for your CEL project. In addition, you can put all your questions about CEL here and we will give you information about available support for teachers.

Learning Analytics: insights from study data

The Learning Analytics information point is the place to go for all your questions when it comes to gaining insights from study data. You will find an overview of projects that use insights from data to improve education, for example to evaluate courses or predict study delays. Demos of the dashboards we developed as a team are available. You are also invited to draw your ‘dream dashboard’ with pen and paper so that we can find out what else we can do for education. Finally, you can also win something fun by participating in a guessing game. 

Escape Room Illuminate!

Want to learn about the new Learning Management System (LMS) Brightspace in an innovative way? Then play the Escape Room Illuminate! Escape from the room together with other teachers by solving tasks in Brightspace. Not only is it fun, but you will get to know Brightspace and its possibilities in a playful and approachable way. Escaped from the escape room? Our educational advisor will talk to you about the features of Brightspace you encountered during the escape room. The Escape Room is part of the training offer for Brightspace and was developed by the Centre of Academic Teaching and Learning. Curious? Come to the Inspiration Market in the Aula for a preview and register immediately. 

VR Education UMC Utrecht

The Education Centre of UMC Utrecht aims to offer contemporary, high-quality and accessible education, in times when healthcare and environmental factors are rapidly changing and capacity is frayed. Education with Virtual Reality (VR) can play an important role in this! Within the Education Centre of UMC, four applications of VR are now in use: Solutions VR, Sterile VR, OK Ready and 'Co-schap in de wijk'. Curious about what these virtual worlds look like? Join us at the inspiration market!

Meet the Teaching Community @ UU (T@UU)!

Looking for inspiration, fresh ideas and meaningful conversations about teaching? Join us at the T@UU Cafe! This is your chance to connect with colleagues, share experiences and discuss the topics that truly matter in education. Whether you’re looking for new perspectives, practical tips, or just an engaging exchange of ideas, this is the place to be. Drob by, grab a coffee and be part of the conversation!

Tool table

Here you will find all information on the innovation tools. Moreover, you can go here for all support the CAT offers for innovating your teaching: submit your problem, and receive advice! For example, an educational advisor or technical support staff to join your teachers' meeting, try out a tool (or two, or three!) or book a spot for 1-on-1 help. 

The Continuing Education discovery journey

Want to see what we do in the field of Continuing Education (ovp); from data science and AI to culture and leadership?  Want to find out what ovp can do for your research and teaching? Do you want to know what your research can do for professionals? Do you want to know what forms and formats are possible, what research we do and what design principles work best? Would you like to see what we do in the Utrecht region and how we cooperate with Hogeschool Utrecht, ROC Midden-Nederland and employers? Then come to the inspiration market at the OnderwijsFestival.

UYA Cares About Teaching! 🌟

The Utrecht Young Academy (UYA) is a community of enthusiastic and ambitious young academics at Utrecht University. We foster critical discussions on academia, policy, and society—both within Utrecht and beyond.

Teaching is at the heart of what we do! At the inspiration market We’ll showcase our projects and exchange ideas on how to innovate and improve education. But we also want to hear from you! What should UYA focus on in the coming year? Come visit our stand, get inspired, and share your ideas with us!