What happens when a school is eager to inspire its students, parents actively contribute to education, and universities seek out fresh talent? The answer is Science on Stage – an initiative at the Werner Heisenberg Gymnasium (WHG) in Garching that brings science to the forefront.
For over five years, the WHG has been hosting this series of events, offering a platform to present cutting-edge research to a diverse audience. Organized by Principal Armin Eifertinger and Felix Schüller, a school board member and coordinator of the TUM Kolleg program, the initiative thrives on personal connections –through students, alumni or parents – to invite experts to share their knowledge.
Unlike the TUM Kolleg program, which targets senior (grades 12&13) students, Science on Stage is designed to make scientific topics accessible to all students, starting from grade 5. Held approximately every three months in the school’s auditorium, these events foster an engaging dialogue between science and education.
Prof. Tom Nilges Kicks Off the Year with Fascinating Insights into Energy Storage
This year’s program began on December 9th with a captivating lecture by Prof. Tom Nilges, head of the Chemistry Department at the TUM School of Natural Sciences and an expert in the synthesis and characterization of novel materials. As a former chair of the school’s parent council, Nilges has a special connection to the WHG, even though his son has since graduated.
In front of an attentive audience, Prof. Nilges delivered a talk titled: “Batteries and Other Curiosities for Storage and Efficient Use Of Electrical Energy.” After an introduction by Felix Schüller, Nilges kicked off his presentation with a light-hearted comment: “Science is a beautiful thing, even if it is sometimes smelly.” He emphasized the importance of young talents in science and research, encouraging students to discover their passion for natural sciences (“but parents are allowed to listen too”).
His multimedia presentation, featuring videos and lab samples passed around the audience, addressed two key questions: “Can computer chips be made from a single material?” and “Is it possible to build a battery using cotton-wool pads?” Especially elucidating was the story of the temperature-controlled diode developed by Nilges and his team. This diode, which was actually passed around the audience, can not only be switched on and off, but even change the direction of the flow. The evening concluded with a lively Q&A session, where topics like sustainability and the future of energy technology were explored.
Beyond “Science on Stage”
Science on Stage is just one of many outreach initiatives supported by the TUM School of Natural Sciences. Each year, professors and researchers visit schools – ranging from elementary to secondary schools – to promote TUM programs, discuss their work, and often perform hands-on experiments. Additionally, an annual weekend seminar at the TUM Academy Center in Raitenhaslach keeps teachers updated on the latest developments in their fields.
With initiatives like Science on Stage, the WHG, in collaboration with TUM, brings science to life and inspires the next generation of researchers and innovators.
Further information and links:
- Prof. Tom Nilges, Professor of Synthesis and Characterisation of Innovative Materials
- Wissenschaft zu Gast des Werner-Heisenberg-Gymnasiums in Garching (in German)
- Our Outreach activities
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