Future Day 2015: Our youngest researchers at work

Once again, on November 12, 2015 ETH Zurich opened its doors to children 10 to 13 years old, to show them unusual jobs common to a university. The day began with a breakfast and an official welcome. Thereafter, the children registered for 'biology' were divided into three groups and proceeded to the D-BIOL.

Flavia Tschan, laboratory assistant in the group of Prof. Beat Christen (Institute of Molecular Systems Biology), and Luca del Medico, a PhD student at the same institute, introduced ten children to what cells are and also conducted an experiment with them. During the introduction, it was strikingly apparent how interested and curious the children were. They also exhibited a high level of basic knowledge.  When asked why plants are green, the answer 'chlorophyll' came with no hesitation. One of the girls in the audience was even able to answer the question of what chlorophyll does.

'Because this was our first time, there was a lot to think about and also to organize', says Flavia Tschan. 'But it was well worth it. Events like this bring variety into our work. We learn a lot by participating and it’s a great opportunity for children to get an insight into the working world and the various professions.' When asked if they would do it again, Tschan answered 'Absolutely yes, no question at all.'

Professor Bernd Wollscheid (also from IMSB) and Professor Karsten Weis (Institute of Biochemistry) expressed similar sentiments. Bernd Wollscheid felt that 'It was a great event', and Karsten Weis explained that 'several people from my group invested perhaps a half-day – which was absolutely worthwhile'. Weis added, that it was 'this type of an event which originally sparked my interest'. Who knows, perhaps one of the children who attended this D-BIOL ‘Future Day’ event will someday return to the ETH as a laboratory assistant or as a student.