The Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science & Research, the OEAD, the state of Upper Austria, and countless enthusiastic JKU faculty members came together to make the fourth annual JKU Science Holidays program at the Johannes Kepler University Linz a success. Since July 17, over 670 children between the ages of 6 and 14 spent a part of their summer holiday discovering in the world of science at both the JKU and the JKU MED campus. Demand was at a record high this year as there were over 1,800 requests to take part in the program.

JKU Rector Meinhard Lukas remarked: "The sky was the limit at this year's JKU Science Holidays program as activities such as programming computer games, conducting chemistry experiments, discussing future issues, and a treasure hunt around the university pond sparked the kids’ sense of curiosity and encouraged them to use their imagination. The JKU provides ideal conditions and plenty of space to discover new things, conduct research, and explore. The diverse, child-friendly program provided insight into areas such as natural sciences, engineering, law, medicine, economics, social sciences, and biology through workshops, opportunities to conduct experiments, and excursions. The children were introduced to the world of science in a fun, playful way that helped them make new discoveries and cultivate their own talents."

As part of the 4^th annual JKU Science Holidays program between July 17 and August 11, qualified educators and JKU workshop leaders supervised 170 children between the ages of 6 and 14 (a total of over 670 children in four weeks) each week Monday to Thursday between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, and Friday between 8:00 AM to noon. Parents paid a one-time fee of €50 per child to take part in the JKU Science Holidays program (one week, including meals, materials and any entrance admission). Rector Lukas was especially pleased that 100 children received a scholarship that enabled them to take part in the program free of charge: "Each and every child should have access to education, regardless of their parents' income, wealth, or educational background. In this regard, each week we gave 25 children an opportunity to take part in the JKU Science Holidays program free of charge."

As part of a site visit during the "Young Academia Future Conference”, Christine Haberlander, Education Officer and Deputy Governor of Upper Austria, experienced the JKU Science Holidays program first-hand: "It is wonderful to see young Upper Austrians conducting experiments, research, and making discoveries in a fun, playful way, thereby setting a cornerstone from which the researchers of tomorrow can grow. As the representatives from the state of Upper Austria, we are delighted to be able to support the program. After all, we have to invest in areas where the future of our country is decided - among our youngest citizens!"

A Record Number of Applicants

Under the management of Bernadette Weinreich, educators and JKU workshop leaders looked after 8 groups of children divided up into groups of a maximum of 20-22 children. Once again, the demand for a spot in the program was enormous. By the deadline, there were over 1,800 applications for 670 spots in the program. The spots were randomly drawn and divvied up over a four-week period. Bernadette Weinreich, program manager, remarked: "Over 1,800 people signed up for a spot in the JKU Science Holidays program and this was was an all-time high. This not only shows just how high the demand for affordable, high-quality childcare is over the summer, but also just how interested children are about the world of science. The JKU tries to meet the demand by not only offering programs during the summer, but also all year-found and free of charge by offering workshops for school classes, campus tours, the Young Kepler University program, and, of course, performances for children and young people at the JKU’s Circus of Knowledge."

Involving JKU Researchers

45 JKU faculty members in various disciplines organized workshops and courses for the JKU Science Holidays program. JKU Rector Meinhard Lukas greatly appreciates their efforts: "Each year, top researchers and junior scholars in a wide range of disciplines become involved in the JKU Science Holidays program. Thanks to their involvement and creativity, we are able offer the children unique activities during their summer holidays at the JKU and also hopefully spark their interest in science."

The JKU also hired 16 qualified educators and educators-in-training to provide professional childcare services during the entire duration of the program.

Healthy Food and Exciting Excursions

Once again, the JKU cafeteria provided lunch. Each day, the young researchers chose from two different menus (a meat or vegetarian option) with soup, salad and a beverage. In addition, fruit was available to snack on during the afternoon. External partners included the Linz Zoo, the Ars Electronica Center, the Red Cross, and the Samaritan Association, as well as Academia Superior, the Upper Austrian Soccer School, Abenteuer Management, Maguel the Magician, and members from the canoe polo team, judo and Quidditch clubs, Grünschnabel, Mural Harbor, and Linz AG. A €750 sponsorship by Linz AG made it possible for the kids to use public transportation for excursions, some of which was free of charge.

The JKU Science Holidays Program: Facts & Figures

• Duration: One week each between July 17 and August 11, 2023
• 170 children per week (a total of over 670 children during a four-week period)
• All-day childcare (including meals): Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM and Friday from 8:00 AM to Noon
• Each child could attend a maximum of 1 week and was assigned to a group for the entire week
• Groups of a maximum of 22 children (in four groups ages 6 to 7, 8 to 9, 10 to 11, and 12 to 14)
• Qualified educators or educators-in-training took care of the children during workshops, breaks, and also created program content as part of workshops for the children
• Once the maximum number of applicants registered, spots were awarded by random selection
• Parents' contribution: € 50 per child for the entire week, including lunch, materials and entrance fees
• 100 children (25 per week) received a scholarship to take part in the program free of charge

A Few Highlights from the 2023 JKU Science Holidays Program

How can we make different organ cells visible?

The participating children immersed themselves in the fascinating world of pathology to visualize cells and discover how we can better understand diseases. The workshop "Making Cells Visible" took children through the basics of cell biology and demonstrates, using appendicitis as an example, how we specifically stain cells in order to see inflammatory reactions. Children worked together in the lab to stain cells and analyzed findings in order to learn more about the critical role pathology plays in medical research. They saw how these techniques help diagnose illnesses and ultimately help to save lives.

Copyright Law for School Students

Can you quickly share someone else's story on Instagram, download a photo from Google and paste it into a presentation, or forward a video on WhatsApp? Is that allowed? Who owns the copyright and to what extent can you use other people's pictures, videos, etc.? The workshop explains copyright law, whether something is protected by copyright law, the conditions in which media content can be shared with friends, family or classmates, and what else one needs to know.

New Molecules and Materials - What Tomorrow's World Looks Like!

We need new, innovative materials to meet tomorrow’s major challenges in environmental and medical sciences. Participants were invited to the chemical research laboratories at the Institute for Chemistry of Polymers to learn how to address this.

Building a Raft to Discover Treasure at the University Pond

All hands were on deck as the children built a raft out of materials provided. In order to be able to fit everyone on the raft, the children not only learned that each person needs to pull together in order to reach the goal, but everyone also needs to be considerate of others and take advantage of each person's individual strengths and include different opinions. These collaboration efforts allow the kids to realize what it takes to be part of an adventurous team. The kids were amazed when their raft set sail in search of a hidden treasure.

Green Heroes – the Option to Go Plastic-Free

The workshop focused on plastic – the problems, avoiding plastic, and what plastic-free shopping would look like. Small groups of children designed a poster in which they had to think about what a plastic-free life might be like. They then used tetra-pak containers to make a pen holder or a purse and, at the same time, discover just what a tetra-pak container is made of.