They explain science to children: Kathrin Häußler from the Junior Researchers at the TU Bergakademie Freiberg and Jo Hecker, presenter and science journalist. But what does explain mean? When Jo Hecker uses a pizza to illustrate fractions at the Freiberg JuniorUni, it will not only be educational, but also delicious! On 3 June, the duo Häußler and Hecker will be guests at "Experimentieren im Park" in Wilhelm-Ostwald-Park in Grimma. Various educational and cultural institutions from Saxony will be presenting themselves there - with the aim of getting children interested in science. At the TUBAF stand, curious children will not only be able to carry out their own experiments, say Kathrin Häußler and Jo Hecker. The two promise a science show for children to watch and take part in.
What can the children expect at "Experimenting in the Park"? Will there be pizza again?
Hecker: If there's a good pizza parlour in Grimma, I'll also get pizza. And then I can show the children how to cut it up, but more importantly, how to eat it.
Häußler: But I think there will also be fiery experiments...
Hecker: Burning gloves and maybe an explosion or two with the oldest substance in the world.
With the oldest substance...?
Hecker: Yes, we will produce hydrogen, the substance that was formed directly after the Big Bang. You can produce the oldest substance in the world with a bottle of vinegar and a pencil sharpener; it's totally simple and very impressive.
Häußler: At the Junior University in the lecture theatre, we were worried that the fire alarms would go off during this experiment. But now we're outdoors, in the park.
What is special about working with pre-school and primary school children? The event is aimed at them.
Häußler: Children are curious by nature. They want to know a lot, they want to question, they don't want a ready-made solution, they want to think. And I think that's the exciting thing, they're still so open, like a dry sponge, so to speak. They soak up whatever impressions and results come their way.
Hecker: Children are incredibly enthusiastic. They want to grasp reality with all their senses; they want to see, hear, feel, smell and taste. At pre-school and primary school age, children also just have fun and don't ask what it's for.
I wonder why it happens so rarely at school, that we learn maths with pizza and the Big Bang with a pencil sharpener.
Hecker: That's a good question. Teachers have so much to do, even with things that have nothing to do with direct teaching, so something like that often falls by the wayside. Of course, carrying out lots of experiments with the pupils is also a little more difficult to implement than normal lessons.
Häußler: But if a teacher is passionate about the subject, it's easier to incorporate experiments and interactive elements into the lessons.
Hecker: There may also be adults at "Experimenting in the Park", educators who are inspired.
So it's also an event for adults?
Häußler: Yes, definitely. School classes and kindergarten groups are invited to the park for two days. So we're excited to see what happens.
Hecker: And families will also be there, especially in the afternoon. That's always a very nice audience. If people are curious, then age doesn't matter.
The "Experimenting in the Park" event was initiated by Gerda and Klaus Tschira and has been taking place in Wilhelm Ostwald Park in Grimma since 2017. The Gerda and Klaus Tschira Foundation aims to inspire children of pre-school and primary school age to enjoy science. This year, the event will take place on 2 and 3 June 2026 from 9 am to 5 pm.
The TU Bergakademie Freiberg is already presenting a geology programme on 2 June. Children will learn about the world of rocks and can create their own sand pictures. Jo Hecker and the JuniorUni will then be on site on 3 June.
Information about all the offers on the pages of the organisers.
