May and June really have us working up a sweat - and not just because of the current temperatures. These are months packed with events but we are still very excited about them!
As the school year draws to a close, there is a growing number of events where people are introduced to and inspired by phenomena and insights in physics and astronomy.
This is a brief introduction to two events that consistently inspire us
DIGITAL@SCHOOL CAMPUS, Deutsche Telekom Bonn
Since 2023, Deutsche Telekom’s DIGITAL@School Campus has been held annually in Bonn, featuring exciting hands-on activities centered on digitalization. Supported by the PUNCH4NFDI research project, in which scientists focus on astronomy, particle physics and data literacy - we have been involved from the very beginning.
Under the theme “Astronomische Datenmengen" ("Astronomical Size Datasets"), students can gain insights into modern methods in astrophysics and the enormous amounts of data involved. Using our LEGO model of the ALMA radio telescope, they explore why digitalization has become indispensable in astronomy: The ALMA radio telescope, for example, collects over over 1 terabyte (TB) of data every day - an incredibly large number with 12 zeros. It’s impossible for humans to analyze these data volumes manually. That’s why coding, data pipelines and machine learning are part of researchers’ everyday work.
At our booth, students were able to, among other things, interactively experiment with radio interferometry using our LEGO model (interferometry is the process of linking individual telescopes together to form a super-telescope) and explore the basics of machine learning through a board game (“Mensch, Maschine!”). We also brought along game prototypes for testing again: The “Würfelteleskop" ("Dice Telescope”) and the LEGO rover building corner, which proved so popular that there was rarely a free chair at the prototype table and we often had to borrow extra chairs from neighboring booths. What we had not revealed to the enthusiastic players was that these games were all about probability and data literacy.
IdeenExpo, Hanover
With a varied hands-on program, ESERO Germany and the German Aerospace Center (DLR), together with an 8-member team from the University of Bonn (comprising members of AIfA and the Physics Show), are presenting at the IdeenExpo 2026 in Hanover.
The joint booth focused on interactive exhibits related to space travel, Earth observation, and STEM education, as well as ways to bring space research to life in the classroom. We participated with our popular LEGO model of the ALMA radio telescope (see above), a cloud chamber where visitors could observe the trails of some of the smallest building blocks of our universe, and - perfect for the current temperatures - a refrigeration machine. - Come quick and visit our booth!
The IdeenExpo takes place every two years and inspires people of all ages to get involved in STEM. This year, the fair once again attracted more than 400,000 visitors from all over Germany, underscoring its significance as one of Europe’s largest STEM events.
We always look forward to exchanging ideas with you
Especially when it comes to questions that make us think, we welcome dialogue and new perspectives. After all, it is sometimes the naive questions from non-experts that steer fields of research in entirely new and exciting directions.
Translated into English with DeepL.com (free version)
