Eleventh-graders experience research up close

Dr. Gerhard Schönhofer, project coordinator for the "Mensch in Bewegung" future transfer room at the THI, opened the Science Week at Hallertau-Gymnasium in Wolnzach with a keynote speech on futurology. He gave the pupils an overview of questions, methods, and approaches to the scientific examination of the futures.

Michael Haiden, a research associate in the "Mensch in Bewegung" project, was available to interview four pupils from Katharinen-Gymnasium Ingolstadt on the topic of AI. He discussed the ethical challenges of autonomous driving, the use of robots in care, chatbots, deepfakes, and autonomous weapons systems with them.

Science Week, a new element in year 11 at Bavarian grammar schools, allows students to work on interdisciplinary topics outside of their regular timetable. They work in small groups on a question or problem and present their findings.

The exchange with researchers such as Dr. Gerhard Schönhofer and Michael Haiden not only offers pupils valuable insights but can also serve as a source of inspiration for later study or career choices. At the same time, it is valuable for the researchers to deal with the questions, fears, and concerns of the population and to incorporate these into their work.