Discover the magic of cell communication: Lecture for young researchers!

Discover the magic of cell communication: Lecture for young researchers!

The Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg has once again positioned itself as a pioneer in educational work with children. On March 29, 2025, the university invites you to the first lecture of this year's Children's University Magdeburg. This innovative event is aimed specifically at primary school students and promises to bring an exciting topic to the fore.

The speaker for the opening lecture is Dr. rer. nat. Anne Dittrich from the Chair of Systems Biology. Under the title “Excuse me? – How cells in our body talk to each other and what happens when there are misunderstandings,” she introduces young listeners to the fascinating world of cell communication. The lecture will clearly explain how body cells exchange information and what dramatic consequences misunderstandings in this communication can have, possibly leading to illnesses.

Insights into cell communication

The concept of the Magdeburg Children's University was launched in 2003 and has since established itself as a valuable platform for over 20,000 students. Children have already been able to explore a variety of exciting topics in more than 100 lectures. Participation in the event on March 29th is free, although registration is recommended. The lecture itself lasts one hour and takes place on the campus of the Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg.

Another highlight of the children's university took place on September 2nd, 2023. Jun. Prof. Ingo Siegert from the Faculty of Electrical and Information Technology gave a lecture on artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on the ChatGPT program. The participants gained insights into the basics of artificial intelligence, carried out interactive experiments to support homework and discussed the limits of these technologies. This event was also free and provided a valuable learning opportunity for children ages 8 to 12.

The use of technology in education

The importance of artificial intelligence in education is also underlined by the research of Nikol Rummel, who is currently Professor of Educational Psychology and Educational Technology at the Ruhr University Bochum. Her research program at the Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS) is dedicated to the use of educational technologies, including artificial intelligence, to support learning processes in various educational contexts. Rummel's work aims to view teaching and learning processes from an educational-psychological perspective and to develop innovative approaches to learning.

The Magdeburg Children's University and similar events make a significant contribution to promoting interest in science and technology. They offer children the opportunity to explore complex topics in a child-friendly setting and thus promote understanding of important scientific relationships.