18.02.2011: Kids University 2011 at Mainz University

"Experience democracy" with Federal President Christian Wulff / "First Musical Kids University" at the School of Music

Christian Wulff, Federal President, will visit the Kids University 2011 at Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) and explain to the Mainz child researchers what makes a democracy and why it is so important that we experience democratic cooperation at a young age. He is looking forward to the exciting questions that the young guests of the Kids University will have. The Kids University program of JGU is run under the title, "Smart Is Better! - Child researchers tracking the sciences", and will offer additional highlights this year - boys and girls aged 8-12 will attend the premiere of the "Musical Kids University" - a whole building wing will come to life and adventurous music will guide them to the land of Lilliputians and a kingdom of giants. At the start of the lecture series on 19 March 2011, Matthias Steiner, Olympic weight-lifting champion, will tell them how a good diet helps him be so strong. The Kids University will be going on the road to visit three elementary schools in Mainz to help stimulate an interest in science in as many children as possible. 

"The Kids University is now a firmly established feature at all institutes of higher learning in Rhineland-Palatinate, particularly at Mainz University. We were the first federal state to provide a state-wide, comprehensive Kids University in the summer of 2004. Since that time, the offer has been continuously extended in scope and content. This is demonstrated by our Mainz program this year, for example, the first 'Musical Kids University'," said Doris Ahnen, Education and Science Minister, at the presentation of the new program. The aim of the Kids University is to familiarize school children with science in a child-friendly way and as early as possible. This aim is so important that the state provides the universities with financial subsidies for these events within the framework of the "Knowledge shapes the future" university program. "The enthusiasm among the children, as well as among the lecturers, is impressive. It is a particular pleasure for the visitors, as well as for us as organizers, that Federal President Wulff will visit the Mainz Kids University this year. It is a major distinction for all those who have worked with great commitment to make this project work," emphasized Minister Doris Ahnen. 

Each year, thousands of children attend the Kids University lectures of Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz in the largest auditorium on the university campus. "These events are part of the introductory programs to our extracurricular teaching and learning courses for children and adolescents of all school types and ages," explained Professor Georg Krausch, the President of JGU. "Our main intention is to stimulate curiosity and a fascination with science as an experience and to ensure that these are maintained during the course of their entire school career. We want to reach as many children as possible with our courses. Therefore, we have considerably extended the Kids University program this year. We are particularly excited by the visit of our Federal President as the highlight of our program for the Kids University 2011 and the entire year's calendar of events at our university." 

How do you become the world's strongest man? Do foreigners always remain foreign? Can you shower, run or ride a bike in space? On the occasion of the 8th "academic year" and the "Mainz - City of Science 2011" campaigns, the Kids University of JGU invites children under the title, "Smart Is Better! Child researchers tracking the sciences" to join ten exciting tours through the world of science.

Kids University on the road: Presentations at Mainz elementary schools. 

The Kids University goes on the road - scientists are giving lectures during class time in Mainz elementary schools for the first time. The goal of this joint project between JGU and the Office for Youth and Family of the State Capital Mainz is to interest as many children as possible in science under the "Mainz - City of Science 2011" project umbrella. "The extension of the existing concept of the Kids University goes well with our desire to provide more equal opportunities through education within the scope of the 'City of Science' project," declared Kurt Merkator, Departmental Manager for Social Issues, Children, Youth, School, and Health in the state capital Mainz. "Lectures from the Kids University that are presented at day-care centers and schools reach all children in these places. In this way, children whose parents did not study at a university can be motivated to consider educational options." 

Young Media Workshop - "Roving" junior reporters 

Youngsters will be encouraged in the accompanying "Young Media Workshop" to explore the various Kids University subjects through a wide range of media, such as videos, podcasts, newspaper articles, blog posts, and in their own Kids University newspaper. Everyone is welcome to participate in the "Young Media Workshop" of the Mainz-Rheinhessen Media Intelligence and Media Competence Network. A team of media instructors and media professionals will be on hand to help them. 

Cooperative partners of the Kids University 

The Kids University at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz was originally established under the "Kinderfreundliches Rhineland-Palatinate" (Child-friendly Rhineland-Palatinate) project by the state government, and is being sponsored by the "Allgemeine Zeitung" newspaper and "GEOlino", the children's journal. Experimental workshops are being held in connection with various lectures in cooperation with the Allgemeine Zeitung (AZ). Places in the workshops are allocated by the AZ. The main purpose of the children's journal GEOlino is to draw their attention to important events and phenomena in the world around them, and to awaken their interest in diverse subjects from the fields of science, technology and culture. GEOlino is therefore committed to the Kids University project of JGU, as it explains scientific patterns to children in a comprehensive way. GEO presents its children's magazines at a stand in the foyer of the "Haus Recht und Wirtschaft" building.