Year of Science 2009
Scientists break through the boundaries of the known on a daily basis and, with their insights, are pioneers of tomorrow's world. In the coming months, the Year of Science 2009, entitled “Germany’s Research Expedition”, will focus on the pioneering spirit of research and invite citizens themselves to take a voyage of discovery through Germany’s scientific landscape.
As one of the supporting organizations, the Robert Bosch Stiftung is organising numerous events and projects to coincide with the Year of Science 2009. These include not only long-term projects, which will be introduced in the coming year as part of "Germany’s Research Expedition," but also projects developed especially by the foundation for the Year of Science 2009.
As one of the supporting organizations, the Robert Bosch Stiftung is organising numerous events and projects to coincide with the Year of Science 2009. These include not only long-term projects, which will be introduced in the coming year as part of "Germany’s Research Expedition," but also projects developed especially by the foundation for the Year of Science 2009.
Projects in the Year of Science:
The project "A Meeting with Science" was especially developed for the Year of Science. Ten meeting venues will be situated along the route of the exhibition train of science: in Aachen, Bremen, Darmstadt, Dresden, Erlangen/Nuremburg, Göttingen, Heidelberg, Jena, Karlsruhe, and Mainz. In each city the focus of the meetings will be on a different subject, such as energy or health.
The meeting venues should appeal to local citizens of all ages. Therefore, the cities, together with local scientific institutions, are being asked to organize events that are especially appropriate for their subject and city. For each "meeting city" a a generally understandable question will be posed, which deals with the importance of a local scientific discipline. Each city will assemble a research expedition to collect answers to their question. Scientists will discuss the relevant question in speeches and discussions, school children will conduct research for their school newspapers, and university students will keep online diaries about the expedition.
In addition, the cities will organize the "Research Expedition City" in which students discover science in their hometown. All cities – not only the "meeting" cities – can participate in this expedition.
The meeting venues should appeal to local citizens of all ages. Therefore, the cities, together with local scientific institutions, are being asked to organize events that are especially appropriate for their subject and city. For each "meeting city" a a generally understandable question will be posed, which deals with the importance of a local scientific discipline. Each city will assemble a research expedition to collect answers to their question. Scientists will discuss the relevant question in speeches and discussions, school children will conduct research for their school newspapers, and university students will keep online diaries about the expedition.
In addition, the cities will organize the "Research Expedition City" in which students discover science in their hometown. All cities – not only the "meeting" cities – can participate in this expedition.
Further Information
Ready, Steady, Research – School Meets Science
Science belongs in the school because it opens up key perspectives for students. That's why for the first time, in the Year of Science 2009, the Robert Bosch Stiftung is awarding total prize money to the value of €90,000. It's the largest prize the foundation has ever awarded for the cooperation between research and school.
Science belongs in the school because it opens up key perspectives for students. That's why for the first time, in the Year of Science 2009, the Robert Bosch Stiftung is awarding total prize money to the value of €90,000. It's the largest prize the foundation has ever awarded for the cooperation between research and school.
The "City of Young Scientists and Scholars" is a joint initiative of the Körber Foundation, the Robert Bosch Stiftung, and the Deutsche Telekom Foundation. The prize is awarded to cities and towns that are not only exemplary in promoting cooperation between schools and research facilities, but also want to intensify their activities in this field. If young people are given the opportunity to work like scientists and scholars, both teaching and learning change fundamentally. Children and young people learn to formulate their own scientific and research questions, work on real-life problems, consider relevant methodologies and select suitable research techniques, reflect on their work processes and present their results – and constantly confront new challenges in doing so.
