ITM at Nerdland Festival: A science adventure for all ages

From Friday, June 6 to Monday, June 9, the Nerdland Festival made its return to Wachtebeke. For ITM, it was the perfect chance to bring science to life and connect with a curious, enthusiastic audience. This marked our third year at the festival, and we were thrilled to welcome more than 1,000 visitors to our booth.

We took the public on an exciting journey into the world of the immune system — a fun and educational way to show how the body fights infectious diseases. Visitors stepped into the role of “pathogens for a day.” Donning lab coats, they explored the human body’s defences as bacteria, viruses, or parasites. From innate immunity to memory cells, each stage revealed new insights, and of course, cool stickers! Over 700 children eagerly joined in the game.

Adults were just as engaged, learning more about ITM’s global role in scientific research. They examined parasites under the microscope, asked a lot of questions about the CATT test and our efforts to combat sleeping sickness, and followed the journey of biobank samples.

Seventeen passionate ITM colleagues were on hand throughout the weekend, offering explanations, leading activities, and sharing their expertise. Their energy and enthusiasm made our booth truly come alive. What a fantastic edition!