For safety reasons, the front row of seats in the lecture theatre remains closed off. A barrier tape keeps the children at a safe distance. Dr Thomas John from the Department of Physics at Saarland University explains why right at the start: the physics and chemistry show – a ‘wonder lecture’ – will feature fire, lightning, explosions and smoke.
And Dr John kept his word. Together with Henrike Waller, a laboratory technician, and with the active support of several assistants, he put on a show for primary school children and those in the lower years of secondary school that really was something special. With boundless energy, humour and obvious enthusiasm for the natural sciences, he captivated the children. One moment a cucumber began to glow; the next, flames burst into life, whilst explosions left the children gazing in amazement. Liquid nitrogen – the children were able to measure a temperature of minus 196.4 °C – caused thick plumes of mist to rise. Under the theme ‘We’re travelling from very hot to very cold’, this spectacular journey through the natural sciences reached temperatures of around 20,000 °C.
After the show, the children still had time to explore the university beyond the lecture theatre. During a guided tour of the campus, they gained an insight into university life. They were then able to feel like proper students in the canteen.
Behind this unique university experience lies the collaboration between two partners in the ‘SaarMINT’ network – the Saarpfalz district and Saarland University. The event was organised jointly by the University’s School Office and the Saarpfalz District’s Department for Social Change, Education and Demography. Earlier this year, this collaboration had already enabled children from voluntary all-day schools in the Saarpfalz district to visit the university’s student laboratories. With the physics and chemistry show, the programme has now been adapted to offer a larger number of children exciting insights into the natural sciences.
The ‘SaarMINT’ network – and therefore this event as well – is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth as part of the ‘MINT-Cluster III’ funding programme. The aim is to make extracurricular activities in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology accessible to as many children and young people aged between six and 16 as possible. Through collaboration with various voluntary all-day schools, the initiative has succeeded in reaching over 90 children, ranging from primary school age to the lower secondary level. As a partner in the consortium and a model region, the Saarpfalz district is committed to expanding such programmes in the region and, in particular, to reaching children who have had little exposure to extracurricular STEM activities to date. District Administrator Frank John emphasises this commitment:
“We want to give children the opportunity to discover their talents – regardless of the opportunities they have had so far.”
The joint event demonstrated just how successful this can be – and that that initial sense of wonder might one day develop into a lifelong enthusiasm for scientific subjects.