Outreach

Pupils from the 9th grade onwards who want to complete a school-based 'work placement' for career orientation can get to know several disciplines at the same time during the KiNSIS work placement. In Physics, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Materials Science and Electrical Engineering, they gain insights into the everyday work of scientists and can take an active role in topics and experiments that go beyond school lessons.

To the KiNSIS internship flyer (PDF for download, in German)

In exercises and experiments, pupils learn what is behind 'nanoscience' and which methods nanoresearchers use to develop better computers, highly sensitive sensors or novel contrast agents for medicine, to name but a few. The offers were developed in the scientific outreach projects of the KiNSIS’ Collaborative Research Centres 1461 'Neurotronics', 1261 'Magnetoelectric Sensing', and 677 'Function by Switching'. The offer is aimed at school classes from grades 8 to 13, and further training courses are available for teachers.

To the klick!:labor (in German)

Every two years, the Physics Project Days take place at Kiel University in the week after the summer holidays. The four-day workshop is aimed at female pupils from all over Schleswig-Holstein and is designed for around 60 participants. The programme includes work in small groups on their own projects and joint excursions. The days are organised by the physics institutes of Kiel University. In 2022, the range of topics was expanded as 'Project Days Physics and Technology' and since then the days have been supported by KiNSIS.

More information on the Physics Project Days (in German)

Using examples from nanotechnology, the content of chemistry lessons can be taught with a close reference to both, current research and everyday life. With the Nano Summer School, Kiel University, together with KiNSIS, the Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN), the Kiel Science Factory and the Institute for Quality Development at Schools Schleswig-Holstein (IQSH), offers regular training events for teachers during the summer holidays.

To the Kiel Science Factory’s website with further information (in German)

 

School classes from Kiel, Plön and Rendsburg-Eckernförde invite scientists from Kiel's universities and research institutions to design one or two lessons based on their research. KiNSIS members also regularly offer topics from their research. The programme is organised by KielRegion GmbH, a joint company formed by the districts of Rendsburg-Eckernförde and Plön, and the city of Kiel.

To the Rent-a-Scientist website (in German)

During the Kieler Woche, the world's largest sailing event and the biggest summer festival in northern Europe, Kiel University showcases people and topics from Schleswig-Holstein's only comprehensive university with its 'Kieler Uni Live' programme. With understandable lectures and hands-on experiments, KiNSIS members demonstrate what is 'nano' in our everyday life, and how they study the phenomena behind it.

To the website of Kiel Uni Live

 

On the last Friday in September, the 'European Researchers' Night' takes place simultaneously in over 300 cities across Europe, funded by the European Union. Since 2016, research institutions in the Kiel region have also been inviting visitors to lectures, hands-on experiments and panel discussions. The Kiel Nanosciences are regularly represented. The Kiel 'Science Day' is organised by KielRegion GmbH, a joint company formed by the districts of Rendsburg-Eckernförde and Plön.

More information on the website of the European Commission

With his work in quantum physics Max Planck, who later won the Nobel Prize in Physics, initiated a revolution in the natural sciences. He was born in Kiel and his first professorship took him back to his home town, which he held dear throughout his life. In the Physics Centre of Kiel University, an exhibition of the Institute for Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics (ITAP) shows the life and work of Kiel's honorary citizen and Kiel University’s honorary senator. The rooms are accessible to the public during Kiel University's opening hours, and guided tours for school classes and everyone interested are possible.

More information about the exhibition (in German)

 

With a long tradition, the Schleswig-Holstein University Society (SHUG) offers interested citizens insights into research areas of Kiel University since 1918. Approximately 400 public lectures are given between the Baltic and the North Sea every year. Speakers include KiNSIS members who present their nanoscience topics to a broad audience.

To the SHUG website (in German)

When the Max Planck Exhibition had to remain closed during the Corona pandemic, students of the Master programme 'Interactive Information Design' at the Muthesius University of Fine Arts and Designcreated an online version of the exhibition for a young target group. Since then, the digital offering, which was created as part of a semester project, has enabled location-independent access to the scientist's life and research.

To the online version of the exhibition

In the cleanroom of the Kiel nano laboratory, research is carried out in an almost dust-free environment, on new types of sensors for example. Therefore, the laboratory is usually only accessible under special conditions. With a 360° video, virtual reality headsets and a touch display, it can be “entered” virtually and provides insights into Kiel's nano research during events, trade fairs and conferences. It was developed in the scientific outreach project of SFB 1261 'Biomagnetic Sensing” together with an agency for scientific visualisation.

To the 360° video on YouTube

The video series presents the research of study groups from Chemistry and Physics on switchable molecules – from 'stressed' plastics to molecular frost protection for plants and contrast agents for medicine. The English-language films were produced in the public relations sub-project of the Collaborative Research Centre 677 'Function by Switching' in cooperation with the Foundation 'Beilstein Institute for the Advancement of Chemical Sciences'.

All videos