Interdisciplinary Children’s Summer University 2013

The Interdisciplinary Laboratory »Image Knowledge Gestaltung« held its first Interdisciplinary Children’s Summer University from 15 to 18 July 2013. The Summer University gave children aged from around 10 to 15 insights into the different areas of research in the Cluster, letting them take a peek behind the curtains of science and research. The main target audience was children of staff of the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. 

Programme:

Monday, 15 July 2013

8 am–12 noon »How is a laboratory designed?«

On a visual journey through the history of the laboratory, the children will learn about different types of labs. In a guessing game, the children will match postcards of laboratories with the right point on a timeline. Through play, they will gain insights into how knowledge architectures change. In the final part of the session, we will conduct an experiment together and make ice cream using nitrogen. 

12 noon–1 pm Break for lunch together 

1 pm–5 pm »Psychologists for a day«
What is a psychological experiment? We will take a look at perceptual psychology and explore what psychologists investigate in science and research.

Location: Campus Adlershof 

Tuesday, 16 July 2013

9 am–12 noon

»Game developers for a day«
From a topsy-turvy jumble of materials, we will develop games together. We will start with a concept phase. There will be no limits to our design freedom, but there should be a result after three hours: a game that several children can play. 

12 noon–1 pm Break for lunch together 

1 pm–5:10 pm »An afternoon behind the scenes at the Museum for Communication«
A visit to the depot of the Museum for Communication will provide a deeper understanding of exhibits: what is collected, which pieces are chosen for an exhibition, how are they conserved, and what perspectives does European ethnology have on knowledge artefacts and communications artefacts?

Location: Sophienstr. 22a, 2nd Rear Building, 2nd Floor, 10178 Berlin, Central Laboratory & the Depot of the Museum for Communication Berlin, Ringbahnstr. 130, 12103 Berlin 

Wednesday, 17 July 2013

9 am–12 noon »Model-makers for a day«

The Summer University puzzle: we will start as a design project usually does: by drawing designs and then making models by hand. Finally we will produce our designs using a laser cutter. The children will also learn how computer-controlled machines such as laser cutters and 3D printers work. 

12 noon–1 pm Break for lunch together 

1 pm–4 pm »Model-makers for a day«

Part 2: Continue to make our own designs, see above for information.

Location: Sophienstr. 22a, 2nd Rear Building, 3rd Floor, 10178 Berlin, Workshop 

Thursday, 18 July 2013

9 am–12 noon »Sound experts for a day«
In this workshop we will build a Chladni sound box, which makes sound visible. In this impressive demonstration, we can see how the sounds from a loudspeaker make a surface covered with fine semolina vibrate and how the sound patterns change depending on the frequency. 

12 noon–1 pm Break for lunch together 

1 pm–5 pm »Biologists for a day« – In collaboration with the Museum für Naturkunde
Together with one of the museum’s education officers, we will explore the Karower Teiche nature reserve, its ponds and the Panke River that flows into it. Equipped with beaker magnifiers, sieves and developer trays, we will look for tiny living creatures like insect larvae, worms and little crabs in the plant stocks and waterbed. Depending on the weather and the time of day, we may also be able to watch birds on the Karower Teiche. (Please bring binoculars!)

Location: Sophienstr. 22a, 2nd Rear Building, 2nd Floor, 10178 Berlin, Central Laboratory