Future day in science for boys and girls

18 February 2026

Photo: kompetenzz.de

Girls' and Boys' Day at the Cluster offers experiments, puzzles and other hands-on activities.

How much time do scientists actually spend in the laboratory? What do they study there? On Girls' Day and Boys' Day on April 23, 2026, the school laboratories “Molecules & Schools” and “Light & Schools” as well as various working groups from the Department of Physics will provide insights into scientific research, the everyday life of scientists, and study and career opportunities.

Chemistry School Lab Molecules & Schools

Girls' Day: Einblick in die bunte Welt der Chemie  (booked out)

Whether in medicine, renewable energy technology, energy storage or the latest television: nanoparticles are used in many areas of future technologies. As part of Girls' Day, the Molecules & Schools chemistry school lab will give girls aged 15 and older an exciting insight into the world of chemistry, especially into nanoscience. Several small experiments are planned, for example on the production of silver fractals, the chemical sunset, or the production of gold nanoparticles. In conversation with researchers and students, the girls will learn more about study and later career opportunities.

Boys' Day: Einblicke in die Lebensmittelchemie (booked out)
New developments in medicine, such as new vaccines or personalized cancer therapies, would not be possible without biochemistry. The project gives boys aged 15 and older an insight into the world of chemistry and identify an unknown meat sample with the help of DNA analysis. They can exchange ideas with researchers and students, learn interesting facts about study and career opportunities, and identify an unknown meat sample with the help of DNA analysis.

Physics School Lab Light & Schools

Girls' Day: Forschung entdecken mit Minicomputern (booked out)

Girls aged 12–13 with no programming experience will learn about the Calliope mini, which offers a playful approach to learn how to program microcontrollers. This will enable them to easily gain an understanding of how smart devices such as smartphones work. After familiarizing themselves with the Calliope mini through a series of simple experiments, the girls will then be able to program a robot that can independently control connected motors and wheels. Light & Schools tutors provide support throughout and are available to answer questions about physics and studying.

Girls' Day: Science Escape Game: Helft Prof. Lisa Kareem und löst ihre Rätsel (booked out)

What does CUI stand for? What kind of research is being conducted, and why is it exciting? The day begins with a presentation by a researcher from the Cluster of Excellence. Afterwards, students aged 13 to 16 can ask questions about the research, the CUI Cluster or studying science. Then, in small groups, they will take part in the Science Escape Game organized by the CUI and the Light & Schools school laboratory, following in the footsteps of the fictional Professor Lisa Kareem. During the hunt, groups will explore the Haus der Lehre - Light & Schools and solve puzzles together in the escape room. During lunch, there will also be an opportunity to meet various people from the scientific community and ask them questions about their work, studies and student financing.

Boys' Day: Kunst hilft weiter (booked out)

Basic research is often very complex and far away from everyday life. In this program, the boys will learn about science communication. They will get an insight into how science content is presented with the help of pictures, sculptures or 3D models. A member of the project "Arts & Science" of the Cluster of Excellence "CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter" will lead through the program and explain the way of a photo from a laboratory to the hallway of the Hamburg City Hall.

Department of Physics

Girls' Day: Physik und Chemie des Kochens (booked out)

Physics and chemistry are everywhere, even in the kitchen. On Girls' Day, a few cooking processes will be explored scientifically. There will be several stations focusing on the operating principle of a pressure cooker, why yeast is used in baking and how flavors can be encapsulated to release them slowly. All the experiments will be used to create a menu that can be recreated at home. A large team will supervise the program so that girls can experiment in small groups.

The school labs are funded by the Cluster of Excellence "CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter", which also supports the Department's program of Girls' Day.

More Girls' day projects from the MIN faculty (in German).

More Boys' Day projects from the MIN faculty (in German).

General information and more offers on Girls' Day (in German).

General information and more offers on Boys' Day (in German).