Now in its fourth year, the KINDERUNI at Hochschule Geisenheim University continues to delight young learners, inviting students aged 8 to 12 to discover the world of science. The program was launched in September 2022 during the university’s 150th anniversary celebrations, in cooperation with the Association of German Engineers (VDI).
This year, a total of eight lectures were offered, with hands-on exploration once again taking center stage. The teams from the university and the VDI designed creative activities to bring science to life. The kids extracted DNA from a banana with genetics professor Dr. Kai Voss-Fels, went on an insect safari with Dr. Karsten Mody, visited the chocolate lab with Professor Loos-Theisen at the Department of Food Safety, and learned from Professor Dimitrios Paraforos how robots and drones are used in viticulture. The VDI team focused on technical-scientific topics, cracking number puzzles with the children and exploring the power of water and air.
As ever, the children that took part showed great enthusiasm. And this active participation pays off: since 2024, all the kids receive a student ID card that gets a stamp for each lecture they attend. If these young researchers attend at least six of the lectures, they are awarded a special KINDERUNI diploma at the end of the year.
On November 26, the big moment arrived. Of the roughly 70 children from the Rheingau and surrounding region who took part this year, 44 were invited along with their families to the new lecture hall at Hochschule Geisenheim University. There, they were personally awarded their KINDERUNI diplomas by Professor Schultz, the President of Hochschule Geisenheim University, and Wolfgang Truss, Managing Director of the VDI Rheingau District Association. Seven children even received a ‘star diploma’ for attending all eight lectures.
Professor Schultz was delighted by the next generation of researchers. 'It looks like we’ve found our next generation of geneticists and wind turbine engineers, drone specialists and insect researchers,' he said, summing up the children’s favorite topics.
Hochschule Geisenheim University and the VDI will again invite children to join the KINDERUNI in 2026. 'We’re excited to spark enthusiasm for engineering professions again next year through the KINDERUNI,” emphasized Wolfgang Truss.
The new dates for 2026will be announced in December on the university’s website, but are sure to take place on Tuesdays from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. Children aged 8 to 12 are once again warmly invited to take part!
