The "Villa GeistReich" student laboratory courses are aimed at interested students in years 10-13. Based on specific scientific questions, students deepen their methodological skills in line with the core curriculum. They are systematically guided through the steps that turn an interesting idea into a scientific research question. Impulses for new conceptual approaches are provided to help structure the students' individual research interests. Furthermore, the courses offer a basic introduction to research, source work, literature typology and citation. Participants learn how to work with the most important online databases and receive assistance in finding literature for their research paper.

Course: Research

From the source to source research

The aim of this course is to provide all interested parties with basic skills for academic work with sources, to whet their appetite for archive work, to arouse historical curiosity and to practise developing their own questions by reading sources critically. These skills and trying out a research attitude are key prerequisites for being able to deal critically with historical and political interpretations. Looking over the shoulders of academics when researching, developing your own questions, criticising and sometimes reading sources "against the grain" are fundamental prerequisites for writing your own research paper and being well equipped to enter university or the professional world.

Duration: 90 minutes

Dates are arranged in consultation with the teachers

Course: Sources

From searching for sources to analysing sources

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the study of different types of sources (writing, images, artefacts). How can the content, symbols and images be contextualised? What is there to know about them? Sources speak and remain silent - what can I find out with my researcher's eye? And how do I get an overview of the archive, how do I search for clues and how do I experience the magic of the original? The close proximity to the Lower Saxony State Archives and the Oldenburg State Archives allows a quick change of location to work with the original sources after successful research in the Villa GeistReich Internet café.

Duration: 90 minutes

Dates are arranged in consultation with the teachers