Open Campus Day

Amid ancient trees and cutting-edge research, four institutes will open their doors on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. , taking you on an exciting journey of discovery from the Earth’s core to the far reaches of the universe. Immerse yourself in a world of big questions and global challenges, and experience fascinating science “made in Potsdam.”

Program | Map | Notes

Whether it’s hands-on experiments or a look behind the scenes, exciting lectures or an interactive research scavenger hunt: A day of wonder and discovery awaits you at the “Albert Einstein Science Park” on Telegrafenberg in Potsdam. Our scientists will be happy to welcome you in person and answer any questions you may have. There will be a diverse program for all ages, with plenty of activities, educational experiences, and interesting things to explore for everyone.

Program Online
Download: Program (PDF) | Map | Notes

The Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) conducts polar and marine research ranging from the atmosphere to the deep sea.

• Expeditions to the Permafrost
  Researchers work under extreme conditions in the Arctic and Antarctic.
• Permafrost—a ticking climate time bomb
  What happens when frozen soil thaws—and why it affects us all.
• The Memory of Ice
  Ice cores tell the climate history of the last hundreds of thousands of years.
• Polar Terrestrial Environmental Systems in Transition
  How do changes in climate affect the ecology of (sub)Arctic habitats?
• Why the Arctic Affects Us
  Changes at the North Pole have a direct impact on the weather in Europe. 
   

You can find more information about the institute here.

The GFZ Helmholtz Center for Geosciences (GFZ) studies the solid Earth that lies beneath our feet, from the Earth’s interior to the landscapes on its surface.

• Understanding Earthquakes Better
  How do earthquakes occur - and can we predict them?
• Volcanoes - Forces from the Earth's Interior
  What happens deep underground before a volcano erupts?
• Observing Earth from Space
  Satellites show how our planet is constantly changing.
• Raw Materials of the Future
  How can we use resources sustainably?
• A Look at the Earth System
  Everything is connected: the atmosphere, the oceans, and the iterior of the Earth.
   

You can find more information about the institute here.

The Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) is dedicated to addressing astronomical questions, from the study of our Sun to the evolution of the cosmos.

• Gas and Dust in the Universe
  The birthplace of billions of stars and entire galaxies.
• Black Holes
  Extreme objects that alter space and time - and what we know about them.
• Understanding Our Sun
  How does our home star influence life on Earth and our daily lives?
• High-Tech Tools for Viewing the Universe
  State-of-the-art telescopes and instruments make the invisible visible.
• Other Worlds
  Highly precise observations and state-of-the-art computer simulations are expanding our understanding of how exoplanets form.
   

You can find more information about the institute here.

The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) advances integrated research for global sustainability and a safe and equitable future for the climate.

• Our Future in the Face of Climate Change
  How will climate change alter our lives—and what can we still do about it today?
• Tipping Points – Major Risks in the Earth System
  Small changes can have major consequences: When does the situation become critical for our climate system?
• Simulating Tomorrow’s World
  Using computer models, we look into the future and present possible scenarios for our planet.
• Solutions for a Sustainable World
  What approaches are there to harmonize climate, economy, and society?
• Science for Policy Decisions
  How research helps governments worldwide make better decisions for the climate. 
   

You can find more information about the institute here.