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More children can now take part in science activities in their free time

With support from the Villum Foundation, thousands of children will now have the opportunity to explore science in their spare time, delving into everything from fusion energy to cyber security. Ten new projects have received a total of DKK 25 million.
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Villum Foundation has just awarded DKK 25 million to ten projects aimed at making science a natural part of children’s and young people’s leisure time. These projects offer participants the chance to build robots, develop games, experiment with artificial intelligence, or immerse themselves in fusion energy. Activities range from science in after-school clubs to engineering in the Science Club.

Science as a foundation

The grants are not only intended to create exciting leisure opportunities here and now. They are also meant to equip children and young people with the tools to understand and engage with the world they are growing up in - so they can form opinions on the many technological and scientific dilemmas that will shape the future of society.

Ole Laursen, Grant area Director at the Villum Foundation, says:

“At the Villum Foundation, we want to strengthen children’s and young people’s confidence and curiosity in science. Science and technology are rapidly shaping our society and world, and if future generations are to navigate and make informed decisions, we must give them the opportunity to understand, explore, and critically engage with this development. And besides, it’s just wildly fun and exciting to explore and discover the world through science.”

Fusion energy and IT security

Among the supported initiatives is a project from Videnskabsklubben (the Science Club) and the organisation Engineer the Future, where children in Years 7 and 8 across 65 youth centres nationwide will work with fusion energy, IT security, and precision fermentation. Precision fermentation is a method where microorganisms are programmed to produce specific ingredients - such as milk without cows or egg whites without hens - a sustainable approach to food production. Together with volunteer upper secondary students, the children will experiment, build, and develop technological solutions using the “engineering design” process. The upper secondary students will facilitate and lead the sessions over the seven-week programme.

Sarah Kirkegaard Verver, project manager at Videnskabsklubben, explains:

“When children work with fusion energy or the foods of the future through the engineering design process, they experience how science and technology can be used to solve real-world problems. It gives them an understanding of the scientific method while also boosting their curiosity, confidence, and desire to learn more -because they can see that their ideas can actually make a difference.”

Exploring the coastline

On Langeland, the project  “Bål og Bølger” (Bonfires and Waves) invites young people into nature to strengthen their curiosity and scientific understanding. Through coastal walks, ecosystem investigations, water sports, campfire gatherings, and hands-on outdoor activities, the project aims to make nature a vibrant part of young people’s leisure time and social life. 

“We want to give young people a deeper connection to nature, so they also experience it as a space for learning, discovery, and community. By combining scientific methods with sensory and social activities, we hope to spark a lasting interest in nature and its interconnections,” says Peter Hellerstedt Nyholm, head of section at the youth club Ungdomsskolen on Langeland.

Science should be fun

With these grants, the foundation aims to give more children and young people the chance to experience science activities in informal leisure settings - where it becomes clear that science is relevant, engaging, and even a potential career path.

“We want to give children and young people the opportunity to experience how science and technology can be both exciting and meaningful - not just in school, but also in their free time. This requires engaging communities, role models, and activities that spark curiosity and a desire for more,” Ole Laursen says.

Read more about the ten projects (in Danish only):

Facts: After-school science activites

• Villum Foundation has awarded DKK 25 million to ten projects across the country.

• The projects aim to give more children and young people access to inspiring science activities in their free time.

• Several thousand children and young people are expected to participate in the new programmes.

• The target group is children and young people aged 7 to 20.

• The foundation has previously supported “After-school science activites” in 2019, 2020, 2022, and now again in 2025.