The mouse opens doors

PhD student Tobias Neuwirth makes experiments using liquid nitrogen for the children at the open doors' day. © Reiner Müller, FRM II / TUM

PhD student Tobias Neuwirth makes experiments using liquid nitrogen for the children at the open doors' day. © Reiner Müller, FRM II / TUM

During the Germany-wide action day “Türen auf mit der Maus“ (“Open Doors with the Mouse”) organized by WDR on October 3, 2022, the Research Neutron Source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II), together with other research institutes of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), opened its doors to mouse fans young and old. More than 800 children and adults visited the varied program at the various stations of the TUM.

The Research Neutron Source as well as the Munich Institute of Biomedical Engineering, the Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene and the four Munich Clusters of Excellence organized numerous hands-on activities, exciting lectures, guided tours on site and virtual laboratory tours. The young visitors were thrilled to become active themselves in the activities for exploring, tinkering and trying things out and to immerse themselves in the world of science in a playful way.

A corner for painting the atomic egg and crafting one's own spectroscope attracted the youngest. © Reiner Müller, FRM II / TUM

A corner for painting the atomic egg and crafting one's own spectroscope attracted the youngest. © Reiner Müller, FRM II / TUM

Dino eggs and an ice-cold surprise
How does a high-performance research reactor work? How do you look inside fossilized dinosaur eggs without destroying them? Young and old mouse fans explored these and other questions at the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Research Neutron Source (FRM II). At the well-attended supporting program in the Science Congress Center, they enjoyed exciting lectures, a painting and craft corner where children could make their own spectroscope, several small Lego models of the giant instruments, two neutron throwing games, and numerous exhibits from the reactor and MLZ scientists.

During guided tours at FRM II, 287 guests were also allowed an exclusive look into the reactor pool, the experimental hall and the neutron guide hall. And at the end of the tour, there was the now traditional ice-cold and sweet surprise for the 64 children.