On Saturday, 26 September, around 3,500 interested visitors – including many families and children – made their way to Potsdam’s Telegrafenberg, either on foot or by shuttle bus – for the first open day organised by the four research institutes at the “Albert Einstein” Science Park.

The GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP) had opened their doors to the public, for the first time independently of the Long Night of Science and in conjunction with Potsdam’s Science Day. They offered unique insights into cutting-edge research on a wide range of topics relating to the Earth – from its dynamic depths and heights, including the oceans and polar regions, through to climate change and its consequences, and out into near and deep space.

The programme comprised around 70 activities and stations – ranging from presentation and information stands, through hands-on experiment stations and laboratory tours, to lectures and guided tours of the historic science campus.

Visitors marvelled, asked questions, discussed, played and took the opportunity to learn and carry out experiments themselves. Many residents of Potsdam were visiting the Telegrafenberg for the first time, whilst others were delighted to be back; some visitors had travelled there specifically – from the wider Berlin-Brandenburg area, and even from Hamburg; some celebrated their children’s birthdays with the children’s research rally, the successful completion of which was rewarded with small prizes. The event also provided insights into the diverse career paths offered by the research institutions as major employers in the region, whether in administration, technical roles or in science.

Prof. Dr Susanne Buiter, Scientific Director of the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, sums it up:

“We are delighted that so many visitors came to Telegrafenberg to discover ‘Science made in Potsdam’, get actively involved and engage in conversation with us. Engaging with all sections of society is an essential part of our work. Our message is therefore clear: research does not take place ‘up there on the hill`; rather, with its questions, topics and solutions, it is closely linked to people’s lives and forms an important foundation for the further development of our society and the preservation of a liveable planet. Through events such as this, we offer valuable insights into the processes behind scientific discovery. They demonstrate just how diverse the people, their activities and their professions are that contribute to this.”

Dr Bettina Hörstrup, Administrative Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), explains:

“The Potsdam Institute bears our city’s name – and, despite all our international activities, our local and regional roots are of great importance to us. It was with great pleasure that we were able to experience just how vibrant this relationship is. On the Open Day, our researchers reported that the rooms were packed to capacity for the talks and hands-on activities, and that there were numerous discussions – some of them long and in-depth – at the information stands. We would like to thank the many people from Potsdam, Brandenburg and Berlin for their curiosity and for making this an unforgettable day.”

Prof. Dr Bernhard Diekmann, Head of the Potsdam Research Centre of the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), says:

“I am delighted that we were able to welcome 3,500 visitors to our ‘Open Day’ here on the Telegrafenberg. Through experiments, games, the latest updates from our research and numerous talks, we were not only able to showcase the full breadth of our scientific work. Many fascinating conversations also developed with visitors of all ages – whilst trying on polar suits, at the permafrost installations or at the set-up measuring stations. It is precisely these kinds of conversations that are so important in the challenging times in which we live. We are all currently witnessing a profound transformation of our world. Explaining this through sound scientific knowledge is more important than ever. Engaging directly with our visitors made this an enormously enjoyable experience. We are already looking forward to the next time.”

Wolfram Rosenbach, Administrative Director of the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP), sums it up:

“It’s wonderful to see how positively the interdisciplinary collaboration between four different institutes on the Telegrafenberg has been received. The Open Day on the Telegrafenberg brings together perspectives on various research topics – together, this creates a programme that showcases the full diversity of this centre of science. I was particularly pleased to see the curiosity with which visitors approached research in Potsdam. The direct exchange, the many questions and the enthusiasm made the day something special for us.”

Further information and programme details: www.gfz.de/veranstaltungen/tag-der-offenen-tuer

Images – all photos: Michael Bahlo
https://mediathek.gfz.de/share/c/483498C7BAf52e/