In the first week of vacation, from July 11th to 14th, interested children can immerse themselves in science, technology and history and discover the secrets of the world: The Almtal Children’s University makes it possible again this year, namely in the Scharnstein middle school (12th to 14th July). July 14) and at the International Academy in Traunkirchen (July 11). Research, discovery and learning new things are the focus of the four days. Even five-year-olds can track down scientific phenomena, but young people up to 15 can also deal with innovative ideas and research topics. The OÖN spoke to project manager Gudrun Gegendorfer.
Salzkammergut News: How did the idea come about?
Gudrun Gegendorfer: A colleague and I were already working at the Konrad Lorenz Research Center in Grünau back then, in 2014, and we wanted to bring the Children’s University to the Almtal. But that had nothing to do directly with the research center.
Working with children is definitely special. What experiences have you had with the inexperience and impartiality of the children?
This makes them easier to work with. It’s great that they are so insanely curious and don’t let that drive them out, but keep asking until they finally get an answer.
Does it happen that the children ask questions that baffle you? For example, because you say: We’ve never seen it like that before…
That can happen. But there are also questions from children that we cannot answer. And then we tell them that honestly.
What is the children’s university about?
This is a diverse, broad program: history, technology, robotics and of course animals. What creatures are found in water-filled tree cavities? How does our immune system fight disease? How does plastic waste recycling in the laboratory and 3D printing work? How does money drive our economy and how does an engine work? What did pirates from the past hide in Traunkirchen, and how can this be recreated in an escape game? We are almost fully booked. There are free places in Scharnstein for five to seven-year-olds in the “Children’s Rights and Animals” course, and there are also remaining places in Traunkirchen. But the waiting lists are already full.
How many children took part at the beginning of the Children’s University in 2014?
At that time we had 80 places. We now have places for around 200 children, including the children’s university in Traunkirchen.
What are your expectations and hopes?
My wish is that all children who want to take part can also take part, so that there are more places. But for that we need more financial possibilities.
The participation fee is a one-off fee of 25 euros for all four days. More information and registration for the modules that are still available at www.kinderuni-ooe.at
Source: Nachrichten
