Motivation and aims

Photo: Hereon/ Student Laboratory

Interest in natural sciences and technology is steadily decreasing among young students in Germany. As a result, there is a dearth of up-and-coming young scientists in this field. The Quantum Leap laboratory therefore uses examples to show students that natural sciences can be exciting.

Students conduct their own experiments to learn about nature and the environment. The aim is to show them that natural sciences are something highly relevant to their daily lives and to the challenges facing mankind. As a place of learning, the lab aims to support the scientific instruction at schools.

Photo: Hereon

The outstanding scientific and technical infrastructure of the GKSS-Forschungszentrum Geesthacht can be ideally utilised to teach students about the centre’s interdisciplinary research approach at an authentic place of learning.

Another goal of the lab is to provide students with insight into the activities of the Helmholtz centre and the state-of-the-art research being conducted there. Attending a project day at the lab might motivate some students to take a science-oriented course at university or pursue a science-oriented career.