Life cycle assessment in the student lab
Moin, Moin! On Friday, July 15, the students of the Elite Graduate Program "MINT-Lehramt PLUS" started from the much too hot Würzburg to the much too cool north to Bremen. Despite train delays (which admittedly cost us some nerves), we finally arrived at the University of Bremen, where we were warmly welcomed.
Over coffee and cookies, we learned about the experiments and topics offered at the university's student lab. In particular, it was about the so-called life cycle assessment, which examines the impact of a product on people and the environment over its entire life cycle - a topic that is not only highly relevant to science, but also of great political and social relevance. In addition to the content-related aspects, the didactic preparation of the thoroughly complex topics was also very interesting. In the course of a comparison of the life cycle assessment of cow's milk and milk alternatives, we even made our own oat milk and were of course allowed to taste it (although the taste could have been improved, we still had fun).
Foreign worlds: on the way in the mud flats and climate house
The next day, we went to the North Sea for a guided mudflat hike. We learned a lot about the variety of animals that live in the mudflats, for example about the lugworm, which burrows into the ground in a U-shape, or the shore crab, which regularly sheds and renews its entire shell. Afterwards, we were even able to examine some of the animals under the microscope.
In the afternoon, the Klimahaus in Bremerhaven was on the agenda. There we dived into foreign worlds: We learned how people live in Italy, in Cameroon or in Alaska and how climate change affects their lives. Whether in a tunnel made of ice at sub-zero temperatures, on suspension bridges over a babbling brook or between numerous aquariums with fish in all colors - the Klimahaus had a lot to offer and is certainly also an impressive experience for students an impressive experience.
Didactic impressions at the zoo
On Sunday, we went to the Zoo am Meer in Bremerhaven. During a guided tour we learned a lot about the polar bears, seals and penguins of the zoo. Afterwards, we even got an exclusive look behind the scenes. For example, we were able to take a look at the zoo's sophisticated water filtration system. In addition, the zookeeper showed us the zoo school, where school classes explore the zoo and take a closer look at individual aspects of the animal world in experiments. Afterwards, we headed back to Würzburg. The excursion was definitely a lot of fun for us and we were all able to take home numerous experiences and new knowledge - whether for ourselves personally or for use in the classroom.
Text: Alissa Fock, Elite Graduate Program "MINT-Lehramt PLUS"