Micropia — Attraction in Amsterdam

An excellent if compact museum devoted to microbiology. The visitors I saw were mostly families with small children, but much of the exhibit would be best appreciated by adults.

The highlight are the many microscopes scattered throughout the museum, allowing for the observation of live samples. These samples are meaningfully arranged: some are part of one food chain (algae, water flea, mosquito larvae), others parts of a theme (water bears in the extremophile section). The microscopes are often coupled with excellent stereographic photographs of the same subject, as well as displays containing fairly extensive further information.

Perhaps the most striking exhibit is the umbrella ant colony. These leaf-cutter ants cultivate a fungus in their nests which converts leaves into nutrients. At the museum, four colonies in transparent containers are connected to a central "garden" containing some fruit and a few leafy potted plants. The colony containers are along the edge of the exhibit; the "garden" is in the center, separated from the visitors only by a moat of swirling water. The ants can move between the colonies and the "garden" via underwater passages, but are prevented by the moat from escaping into the rest of the museum.

In footprint the museum of tiny, spanning only two large rooms on two floors, with most of the interesting exhibits on the second. But it's one of the better science museums I've visited, and can easily take a couple hours to...

The Microbia Museum presents an intriguing collection of accessible information and engaging facts. While I found the museum to provide a solid foundation, I was hoping for more innovative insights, particularly as a microbiologist. Nevertheless, I appreciated the inclusion of live bacteria, protozoa, and other microorganisms that visitors could observe under microscopes. One particularly enjoyable aspect was the interactive activity where children could collect various microbes and parasites on a papercard and observe their movements, adding an element of fun and discovery to the experience.

I also appreciated the availability of student discounts in Amsterdam. To further enhance the exhibition, it could be expanded to include additional interesting facts about both the beneficial aspects of microboesand infectious diseases. For example, an interactive map highlighting the distribution of various pathogens, along with lesser-known facts about other infectious diseases beyond the commonly known ones like malaria, Ebola, and coronavirus, would be informative...

I recently visited Micropia in Amsterdam and had a great time exploring the invisible world of microbes. It's a science museum unlike any other – everything is focused on bacteria, fungi, and all the tiny life forms we usually never think about.

The visit starts with a really cool elevator ride. As you're going up, there's a video projected on the ceiling that sets the mood perfectly – a fun and slightly mysterious intro that immediately grabs your attention.

Inside, the exhibits are interactive and surprisingly engaging. My kids especially loved collecting "microbe stamps" at different stations – it's a fun way to keep them involved while learning at the same time. The displays are creative and informative, and you walk away realizing just how much microscopic life plays a role in our everyday world.

The only downside is that the museum is quite small – we were done in about an hour. That said, it's definitely worth a visit if you're in the area or already at the Artis Zoo next door. It's educational, entertaining, and just the right mix of...