Teaching and Learning Lab – Children conducting experiments

The Kila Children’s Lab in Karlsruhe

Since 2006, at our out-of-school learning centre, Year 3 and Year 4 primary school classes have been able to experience the fascinating world of chemistry through age-appropriate experiments during a morning-long workshop. The aim is to help them realise, for example, that air is not ‘nothing’, or that substances dissolved in water – such as sugar – have not simply disappeared and can even be recovered. In this way, we hope to foster and encourage the children’s interest, acceptance and enthusiasm for scientific questions and solutions.

20 Years of the Karlsruhe Children’s Laboratory

On 3 October, we celebrated 20 years of the Karlsruhe Children’s Laboratory as part of the ‘Türen auf mit der Maus’ event with a very special occasion: nearly 200 children aged between five and twelve transformed the courtyard of the Karlsruhe University of Education into a miniature world of research. Kitted out in lab coats and safety goggles, and supervised by enthusiastic students, the young scientists were able to discover exciting experiments and get hands-on themselves.

To round off the day, there was a tricky treasure hunt: three paper ‘lab rats’ had to be found on campus! After all that scientific exploration, there were pretzels and drinks for everyone. What’s more, every child was allowed to choose a little treat from the sweet box.

A big thank you to ChemieBW, who covered the cost of the refreshments and thus helped make the event a success!