Attention bright minds: Registration for the summer semester at Dresden Children's University opens on February 23, 2026

Why, how, what for? For over 20 years, Dresden Children's University has been teaching curious children how our world works. But not all questions have been answered yet. That's why the 2026 summer semester will once again feature four exciting lectures. Participants are in for fascinating insights into the world of science – from chocolate superglue to collapsing bridges and adventurous smugglers to racing hearts and rumbling stomachs.

Registration for the summer semester at the Children's University of Dresden begins on February 23. Starting at 9:00 a.m., "enrollment" will be possible via an online form at www.ku-dresden.de. The program is aimed at children ages 8 to 12. The young students can choose whether they want to attend the lectures directly in the lecture hall or via live stream from home. The Dresden Children’s University is a joint project of the Technical University of Dresden (TUD) and the German Hygiene Museum.

Knowledge that sticks: Fun learning guaranteed

In the first lecture of the semester, children dive into the world of joining technology with engineer Dr. Johannes Koal and learn how everything around us is held together “bombproof.” Together, they test how to weld with chocolate and whether an elephant can be stuck to the ceiling.

The program continues with an insight into our feelings: Prof. Anna-Lena Zietlow, professor of clinical child and adolescent psychology, explores the topic of stress in her lecture. Participants learn what happens to us when we feel overwhelmed and how family and friends can help us deal with stressful situations.

Together with Prof. Hannes Ziegler, the children embark on a journey to the smugglers of the 18th century. In the third lecture the historian sheds light on why the idea of daring pirates is probably not true and what reasons the smugglers had for their actions.

All children in Dresden know that the Carola Bridge has collapsed. But why do bridges collapse? And how can they be built and maintained in such a way that this does not happen in the first place? Prof. Steffen Marx, professor of concrete construction, answers these questions in the last lecture of the summer semester.

Program overview

April 28, 2026, Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.
Dresden University of Technology, HSZ, Lecture Hall 03
How Spiderman can run up walls and how to stick an elephant to the ceiling – An excursion into the world of joining technology
Dr. Johannes Koal, Research Associate at the Chair of Joining Technology and Assembly, TU Dresden

May 12, 2026, Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. 
German Hygiene Museum Dresden, Great Hall 
Together instead of alone: How friends and family help combat stress
Prof. Dr. Anna-Lena Zietlow, Chair of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, TU Dresden

May 26, 2026, Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. 
German Hygiene Museum Dresden, Great Hall 
Smugglers in the 18th century: traitors, rebels, or neighbors?
Prof. Dr. Hannes Ziegler, Chair of Early Modern History, TU Dresden

June 2, 2026, Tuesday, 5:30 p.m. 
Dresden University of Technology, HSZ, Lecture Hall 03
When do bridges collapse?
Prof. Dr. Steffen Marx, Director and Professor of Concrete Structures , TU Dresden

Kontakt: 

Dresden University of Technology:
Elisabeth Krollpfeiffer 
Tel.: 0351 463-32485 
Mail:  

German Hygiene Museum Dresden:
Martin Frank  
Tel.: 0351 4846-142 
Mail: