The last KinderUni lecture of the year focussed on life and research in space. Around 650 children followed the lecture by physics didactics expert Michael Komorek and his colleagues with rapt attention.
How do astronauts shower on the International Space Station ISS? And how does a rocket launch actually work? In his lecture, Prof Dr Michael Komorek explained what space travellers need to consider in order to get into space and back safely - and thus prepared the eight to twelve-year-olds for life as astronauts.
It was like being in a space laboratory in the Audimax: a water rocket was used and a balloon burst in a vacuum. The young researchers learnt what a spacesuit has to withstand: It has to be tear-resistant and airtight - and still allow the astronauts to move around easily. Thanks to a skateboard and medicine ball, two children were also able to try out for themselves on stage how the recoil principle works.
The main prize in this year's raffle was not a trip to space. However, 11-year-old Sofie from Ahlhorn was delighted to win a weekend trip by train to the capital Berlin. She received the prize from Olaf Meenen of the LzO, which has supported the KinderUniversität financially from the very beginning. Universum Bremen donated two tickets each for five other children.