Children's Discoveries in Dusseldorf Angermund: Unveiling Secrets of Car Fuel in Research Kits
Article Rewrite:
Meet Julius, a clever kid who's exploring a new way to power our cars... sorta. He's playing around withteenie toy cars as part of the research squad at Angerau Kindergarten in Angermund, Düsseldorf. There are six kids on this team, a mix of boys and girls, handpicked by their director, Babette de Fries, for the "Day of Mini Researchers." This day is all about air and space travel.
This event is a nationwide venture spearheaded by the Kinder forschen foundation, with a mission to excite the upcoming generation about technology and natural sciences, even at the kindergarten level. As Michael Fritz, the chairman of the foundation, puts it, "We want kids to handle unknowns, to make sense of the world." Think about a kid watching a lemon core float in a glass of mineral water, wondering if other things would act the same way. It's science sparks curiosity! Every year, around 18 million euros are spent on such activities, with 12 million coming from the Federal Ministry of Research, and the rest from private foundations and companies.
Angerau Kindergarten has been a part of the action since 2009, thanks to a chemistry-teacher mom who brought it to their attention. They even have a dedicated research room where kids can tinker and test throughout the year.
Julius and Charlotte work together at a research table piled high with toy cars, straws, tape, and balloons. They attach a straw to each car, inflate a balloon, and connect it to the straw. When the balloon air shoots through the straw, voila! The car moves. But only when inflating the balloons does Thomas Jarzombek, a local politician from Angermund, lend a hand. He's dropped by especially for the "Day of Mini Researchers." Coordinated by the youth welfare office, 63 Düsseldorf institutions are participating in the foundation's initiatives. Nationwide, the foundation collaborates with around 200 network partners, notes Fritz.
Now there are two more experiments in progress in the Angerau Kindergarten research room. The kids are attempting to launch an arrow into the air, using air, a balloon, and an empty shampoo bottle, mimicking a rocket. Suddenly, Julius recalls his initial experiment and wonders, "Why didn't the car fly?"
Enrichment Details:
- Hands-on activities, experiments, and interactive learning experiences can stimulate children's curiosity and creativity.
- Engaging children in basic coding, robotics, or digital tools can spark an early interest in technology.
- Involving scientists and engineers in educational activities can inspire children by demonstrating real-world applications of science and technology.
- Encouraging an interest in STEM fields at an early age can lead to future career opportunities and help children develop critical thinking skills while building confidence in their abilities.
Science can stimulate children's curiosity and creativity, as demonstrated by the experiments conducted by Julius and his team at Angerau Kindergarten's research room. Moreover, health-and-wellness can be intertwined with education-and-self-development, as seen in the physical application of scientific principles through the creative use of toy cars, balloons, and straws.
