UT nominations for Science Award

Friday 13 February 2026

The voting for the Klokhuis Science Award is now open, and two UT research projects have a chance to win their very own Klokhuis episode. These are: 'Wings for Aid': flying boxes for delivering groceries, by Professor Martijn Mes (BMS), and 'Hand in Hand' by PhD candidate Marie-Laure Snijders (EEMCS/TechMed). You can vote (Dutch website) for your favourite research project until 8 March. The winning project will receive its own Klokhuis episode. The winner will be announced during the International Science Film Festival: Meet the Researcher on Sunday, 8 March, at Mariënburg Library in Nijmegen.

The award aims to introduce a broad and young audience to scientific research in the Netherlands. The prize was awarded for the first time in 2016. The Klokhuis Science Award honours interesting and relevant scientific research for children aged 9 to 12. A science episode of Het Klokhuis is dedicated to the research field of the winning project.

Wings for aid: flying boxes for delivering supplies

When a disaster strikes, people in the affected area may suddenly be left without food, medicines, or other essential supplies. Think, for example, of an earthquake or flooding: roads and bridges are destroyed or gone, making it impossible for aid workers to reach the victims. That is where Wings for Aid can help. Using large drones, like mini aeroplanes without a pilot, that can fly up to 250 km. These drones can deliver large quantities of food, blankets, and medicines to people in need every day. The supplies are transported in special cardboard boxes that can land safely on their own, without a parachute, and all of it happens automatically. More information: Drones accelerate and improve humanitarian aid delivery during disasters

Hand in hand against stress

Did you hold someone’s hand when you went to school for the first time and found it quite scary? Many people feel better when they are touched by someone they like very much. We are researching what type of touch works best to reduce unpleasant feelings. Should the touch come from someone you know? Does it have to be human touch, or does holding a cuddly robot work as well? And is what works best the same for everyone, or are we all slightly different? More information: Hold tight: How human and robotic touch shape our fear response