Children’s University 2014 was a resounding success. 520 children were playing and experimenting to their heart’s content on a day dedicated to materials.
By Anne Hansen and Karine Blandel
On Saturday 22 November, DTU hosted Children’s University for the second time. The event took place at DTU Lyngby Campus, where 86 volunteers from the University had prepared workshops and presentations. At 8.30 am, the doors were opened to a day dedicated to natural sciences and technology.
DTU students busy registering participating children. Photo: Lisbeth Holten
Smashed ceramics and state-of-the-art microscopes
The day began with a lecture on materials which involves the smashing of ceramic bowls, banging on drums and peering into materials using state-of-the-art microscopes. The children were also allowed to remotely control an electron microscope located in Nanoteket. Together the children had to examine why lotus leaves are water-repellent. Nine-year-old Asad was particularly enthusiastic:
“Seeing things through that microscope,” he exclaims when asked what he enjoyed most about the day.
Cool experiments
After the lectures and a break, there were two hours of workshops where the children had the opportunity to experiment on all sorts of materials at 13 different workshops. The experiments included racing to build the strongest bridges, growing crystals, racing solar-powered cars, morsing using light conductors, and studying shape-memory materials that return to their original shape—for example a star—when pouring boiling water on them.
“The grown-ups were really good at explaining what we had to do,” says Asad, who was also thrilled to be given the chance to experiment with things on his own. All the children also received small gifts to take home from their workshop as an encouragement to continue the experiments at home.
Asad among food wrappers and drinks bottles, which he examined at the ‘Spy on your food wrapper and drinks bottle’ workshop. Photo: Lisbeth Holten
“It’s really cool; you take that piece of paper and measure a lot of stuff at home, for example my mother’s tea and orange juice,” explained Asad about his gift, which included pH paper to measure the acidity of various foods.
Creating awareness of DTU
At the end of the day, the children were presented with a personal diploma. Asad’s friend Michael proudly shows off his diploma. Both boys said that they would definitely tell their friends at school about Children’s University, and they would like to come back next year.
“Asad and Michael had never heard about DTU before, and I think it’s fantastic that DTU has given my son the opportunity to learn more about what goes on at the University,’ concludes Asad’s mother who has come to pick up the boys. This is precisely one of the key objectives of Children’s University:
“The purpose of Children’s University is to spark interest and enthusiasm for the natural sciences and technology and to create awareness of DTU among children and their parents. This ensures that DTU becomes a relevant choice for children who later decide to embark on a degree in science and technology,” explained Jane Hvolbæk Nielsen, Head of Department at DTU Physics.