Children are researchers and discoverers from the day they are born. They are not afraid to explore difficult areas. Scientists at the DZNE performed experiments together with pupils at the Bonn International School in order to find out what research and dementia actually are. The young researchers in grades 3 to 5 progressed through various stations and discovered science at the DZNE in a playful fashion: With mazes, memory tests, reaction exercises and attention tests they explored the areas of basic, clinical, population and nursing research. Selected questions and examples illustrated the relationship between dementia research and actual situations in everyday life.
In keeping with the motto „How do we want to live?“ of this year’s activity for the annual national „Young Researchers Day“ on 23 June, the DZNE introduced the young researchers to the topic of „Fighting Widespread Major Diseases“ using the DZNE’s dementia research as an example. In this way, both institutions aim to make a contribution to early scientific, mathematical and technological education. Moreover, the activity day was an opportunity to explain to the pupils in simple words how (dementia) research can help people to live long, healthy lives.
The German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) researches the causes of diseases of the nervous system and develops strategies for prevention, treatment and nursing care. It is a member of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers and has sites in Berlin, Bonn, Dresden. Göttingen, Magdeburg, Munich, Rostock/Greifswald, Tübingen and Witten. The DZNE works in close cooperation with universities, university hospitals and extramural institutions. The DZNE purposefully bundles expertise relating to neurodegenerative diseases on behalf of the federal government and is one of six German Centers for Health Research (DZG) that fight widespread major diseases. www.dzne.de, www.twitter.com/dzne_en, www.facebook.com/dzne.de, www.bonn-is.de
More information about the annual national „Young Researchers Day“: www.tag-der-kleinen-forscher.de
Contact at DZNE Bonn:
Ulrike Koch
Public and Political Affairs DZNE
Tel.: +49 (0)228 43302-263
E-mail: ulrike.koch@dzne.de