Children's program

Have you ever wondered how your brain works? It’s made up of billions of nerve cells called neurons. In order for us to think, feel, move or dream, these neurons need to constantly communicate with each other. Together we build models of nerve cells using pipe cleaners and link them to create a neural network. This lets you learn more about the components of a nerve cell—from dendrites to cell bodies and axons—as well as key neuroscientific concepts such as “neuronal plasticity” and “functional connectivity”.
Format: Hands-on activity
Research Center: Environmental Neuroscience
Ground floor / Duration: 10 minutes / in German and English

What comes to mind when you hear the word “ice”? Take part in our word association game and find out how your associations compare to those of other participants. Discover how typical or unusual your answers are. The game is part of the international project Small World of Words, which investigates how words are stored in the mental lexicon. The results provide insights into intercultural language differences and open up new possibilities for personalized learning aids. Join us—on site or online at smallworldofwords.org!
Format: Hands-on activity
Research Center: Adaptive Rationality
Ground floor / Duration: 5 minutes / for children > 10 / in German and English

How do groups make decisions—and how can artificial intelligence optimize this process? At our booth, you’ll experience firsthand how swarm intelligence emerges and where its limits lie. Interactive experiments, such as estimating quantities, illustrate how collective knowledge is formed. Engage with our researchers and learn more about the mechanisms behind collective decision-making.
Format: Hands-on activity
Research Center: Adaptive Rationality
Ground floor / Duration: 5 minutes / for children > 10 / in German and English

Many still assume that either our genes or our environment determine who we are. Instead, we need to look at the complex interplay of genetics and social structures to understand human development. Our game displays how this interplay affects our education and health. As a society we have the freedom to restructure our social systems. How would you change our society? And how does that interplay with our genetics?
Format: Hands-on activity
Research Group: Biosocial
1st floor / Duration: 10 minutes / for children > 10 / in German and English

The vagus nerve is the central connection between the brain and body. Its stimulation can reduce stress, enhance attention, and even improve well-being. But how can we observe these effects? The pupil reacts sensitively to changes in the nervous system. At our station, you can watch in real time how its size changes depending on activation. For underage participants, we offer alternative methods such as mental imagery, hand grip exercises, and auditory stimuli. Discover how the pupil serves as a window into brain-body interaction!
Format: Demonstration
Research Center: Lifespan Psychology
1st floor / Duration: 10 minutes / for children > 10

Experience the atmosphere of the forest in an immersive virtual reality. Step into a lifelike environment where you not only see the beauty of the forest but also engage your senses with realistic sounds and scents. Enjoy a soothing soundscape and natural aromas while discovering how multisensory impressions influence our perception and well-being. Information on potential allergens will be provided.
Format: Demonstration
Research Center: Environmental Neuroscience
1st floor, room 111 / Duration: 5 minutes / for children > 10 / in German and English

Furhat is the „social robot“ from Center for Humans and Machines. He greets visitors, provides information, and is trained to hold conversations. He can talk about various topics and demonstrates how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used in communication. With his expressive face and natural conversational abilities, Furhat offers a glimpse into the possibilities of human-machine interaction. Stop by and engage Furhat in a conversation!
Format: Demonstration
Research Center: Humans and Machines
1st floor / in German and English

Is that a natural sound, or was it made by humans? In this interactive game, you can put your hearing skills to the test and make your choice with a button box—and get instant feedback on whether your ears can be trusted! Additionally, we present the latest findings from our sound studies and show how environmental stimuli—especially sounds—influence our cognition and well-being.
Format: Hands-on activity
Research Center: Environmental Neuroscience
1st floor / Duration: 5 minutes / in German and English

How quickly can you distinguish between „nature“ and „city“? This entertaining card game is all about naming the correct category as quickly as possible. But watch out: Sometimes the background color counts, sometimes the picture itself. The game is based on the classic Stroop task, a test used in psychology to measure attention and impulse control. A playful challenge for children aged 3 and up and adults. Who can stay focused and make the fewest mistakes?
Format: Hands-on activity
Research Center: Environmental Neuroscience
1st floor / Duration: 3 minutes / for children < 10 / in German and English

As part of the launch of the Babylab, we invite parents and children to explore our newly renovated space in a playful way. In our Activity Hub, babies and young children up to 6 years old can enjoy thoughtfully designed activity stations and free play areas related to the local and natural environment (e.g., you might encounter some forest animals). While the little ones play and discover, parents have the opportunity to chat with us about current and planned research projects on the interaction between the environment and early childhood development.
Format: Hands-on activity
Research Center: Environmental Neuroscience
Open: 5.00–5.45 pm, 6.15–7.15 pm, 7.45–9.30 pm / Babylab / for children < 10 / in German and English