Live Science

LiveScience werkstraat

With its large windows facing the street, Live Science functions as a shop window for Naturalis. This place is where you will meet our researchers and collection managers, so that you can see and experience what their work is all about. 

Visit Naturalis

Discover the amazing world of nature at Naturalis in Leiden. Did you know that this gallery and all its activities are accessible free of charge? So you can come by as often as you want!

Experience
our research

Things you can do here include attempting to draw an insect according to scientific rules or witnessing a specimen preparation from up close. The pieces in the collection reflect our institute's rich history from its foundation in 1820 to the present day. They include a hoodwinker sunfish discovered in 1889 and a meteorite that struck the Netherlands only recently.

Zaal LiveScience

The idea
behind Live Science

This gallery is where we show what we do as a research institute. Not in the shape of an exhibition, but by letting you observe the people who work for Naturalis while they perform their duties. Feel free to ask questions, for example about what they are looking to discover and why. You can't get closer to nature and science than in Live Science!

The highlight
of Live Science

The highlight is that you get to meet our scientists in the flesh. One place where you can do so is in the Dino Lab, where they dig recently discovered dinosaur bones out of rocks. Obviously, it can be a noisy and dusty place – so they are more than happy to take a break and tell you everything you want to know. The Nature Desk in Live Science is another place where you can meet our researchers. This location is home to our regular Nature Consultation, where people can ask questions about nature to an expert.
 

Zaal LiveScience Dinobot

Activities
in LiveScience

There's always a lot going on in LiveScience. Check our agenda for all activities.

Agenda

Spotlight on our experts

During the Spotlights of Naturalis, our experts share the latest knowledge, they show real collection pieces and talk passionately about their work in the museum.

Read more

Nu te zien
in LiveScience

Vlinders komen tot leven

Sinds eind 2024 heeft LiveScience een interactief kunstwerk: Origins of Imagination, van de Britse multimedia-artiest Dominic Harris. Bezoekers die een ingekleurde vlindertekening laten scannen, kunnen zien hoe een AI die verandert in een realistisch uitziende, bewegende vlinder. Alle vlinders samen vliegen in zwermen op een groot scherm.

Origins of imagination

Dominic Harris artwork
Closeup artwork Dominic Harris