Under the title “Climate and Environment”, the Klaus Tschira Foundation's “Explore Science” took place in Bremen's Bürgerpark from September 5-7. Every year, the science experience days offer a colorful hands-on program for students, teachers and families on socially relevant STEM topics.

Together with colleagues from ZARM (Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity) the Humans on Mars initiative has taken this year's motto of “Explore Science” from the perspective of space exploration. The focus was on the challenge of scarce resources - vividly illustrated using the example of the red planet Mars.

With the help of VR goggles, visitors could take a look inside a Mars habitat at the hands-on station. Right next to it, the kids were able to explore a cratered Martian landscape with Ozobot robots. It was exciting for everyone to consider whether they could imagine living permanently on the Red Planet, which is so different from our livable Earth. It was surprising for the children and young people to learn that we can actually learn from the sparse planet Mars for the Earth, namely how we can use limited or even dwindling resources sustainably and efficiently thanks to the latest technologies.

A digression on scientific satellite missions, which help researchers around the world to observe the state of a planet, was not to be missed here. Using an interactive model of the GRACE mission, the pupils were able to try out how the two twin satellites continuously measure the Earth and detect changes such as glacial melting and rising sea levels.

With around 10,000 visitors, Explore Science 2024 was a complete success. We will be there again next year, when everything will revolve around the topic of “Future STEM”.

To the press release of the Klaus Tschira Foundation: www.explore-science.info/bremen/presse/2024-09-09/explore-science-begeistert-10-000-kinder-und-jugendliche