"Hvorfor Det?" – Science fair for school children

On April 25, roughly 100 school children aged 7 to 13 visited the Hylleraas Centre and the Department of Chemistry in Oslo to present the research projects they had worked on over the past 6 weeks. The event, “Hvorfor Det?” – a science fair for school kids – was organized by the parents’ board at Ila Skole in collaboration with the Hylleraas Centre.

Bildet kan inneholde: gulvbelegg, gulv, interiørdesign, jeans, tak.

Left: Posters on display at the Department of Chemistry. Right: One of the award-winning posters at Hvorfor Det?, presenting research on the effects of screen time on human cognitive abilities (using a math test) and quality of sleep. Photo: Thomas Bondo Pedersen, UiO.

By Thomas Bondo Pedersen
Published Apr. 25, 2026

2026.04.25. Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo. 

Science fair for school children

“Hvorfor Det?” is a science fair for school children aged 7 to 13 (third to seventh grade) where they get to formulate, plan, execute, and present research projects of their own choosing. Solely based on curiosity, there are no requirements regarding the type of project – the kids decide entirely on their own, but receive training regarding planning, execution, and presentation at several workshops in the weeks leading up to the event.

At the main event held at the Department of Chemistry, University of Oslo, the young researchers presented posters to a referee panel consisting of professional researchers, including several present and former members of the Hylleraas Centre in Oslo. Prizes were given for the most excellent, the funniest, and the most impactful research projects and posters. In addition, the audience elected their favorite poster.

Accompanied by their parents and siblings, about 80 children presented 35 posters on subjects ranging from which types of food make you fart the most (and loudest) to which substances are most efficient at purifying drinking water.

Referees discussing the results from the childeren science fair.
Referees at work at Hvorfor Det? on April 25, 2026.. Photo: Thomas Bondo Pedersen.

While the referees discussed the research projects and presentations, the children and their families enjoyed a spectacular demonstration of chemistry in action by senior engineer Veronica Killi from the Department of Chemistry.

Veronica Killi delivering a spectacular demonstration of chemistry.
Veronica Killi delivering a spectacular demonstration of chemistry. Photo: Thomas Bondo Pedersen.

The event was organized by Kevin Geers and Kristine Eknes from the parents’ board at Ila Skole in Oslo, with support from Anne Pedersen and Sook Berge Buer. The training workshops were conducted by Mikkel Bugge. From the Hylleraas Centre, Cathrine Strøm, Ragna Breines, Håkon Emil Kristiansen, and Morten Ledum assisted with the practical organization, while Lise Chevalier, Trygve Helgaker, and Thomas Bondo Pedersen acted as referees along with former Hylleraas members Audun Skau Hansen and Eirill Hauge. The popular vote was conducted by Barbara Helgaker.

More on the science fair

Funding

The event was supported financially by the Hylleraas Centre and Tekna.

 

Tags: Hylleraas Centre, science fair for kids, Veronica Killi, Ila skole
Published Apr. 25, 2026 5:00 PM - Last modified Aug. 13, 2026 3:48 PM
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