Current program
What foods are good for us and our planet?
Prof. Dr. Jana Markert
Professor of Nutrition and Home Economics/Vocational Education (TU Dresden)
October 6, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. | Deutsches Hygiene-Museum, Main Hall
Food should fill us up, taste delicious, and nourish our bodies (e.g., with energy). But what does our food have to do with the climate? Why can’t an apple, a handful of nuts, or whole-grain bread not only be delicious but also help our planet? This lecture shows that if we simply make more room for plants on our plates and consciously enjoy our food instead of wasting it, our diet will be better for us and for the planet we—humans, animals, and plants—call home.
As a child,Prof. Markert wanted to be a flower seller.
Why Doesn’t the Sunflower Grow in the Desert? And Why This Matters to All of Us
Assistant Professor Nora Huxmann, M.Sc.
Junior Professorship in Planting Design (TU Dresden)
October 27, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. | TU Dresden, Auditorium Center, Audimax
A sunflower loves the sun—but does that make it a desert plant? And are all “sunflowers” really sunflowers? In this lecture, we’ll become plant detectives: We’ll explore what plants need to thrive, why the right location is crucial, and how good plant selection benefits people, animals, and the urban climate. We’ll talk about roots, water, soil, and light—and discover why plants can sometimes be quite picky.
As a child, Assistant Professor Huxmann wanted to become a housewife and mother.
Who actually invented school?
Prof. Dr. Anke Langner
Chair of Education / Inclusive Education (TU Dresden), initiator and academic director of the Dresden University School
November 3, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. | TU Dresden, Auditorium Center, Audimax
Why does school look the way it does? Could it be completely different? And who actually decides that? At the Dresden University School, researchers, teachers, and students work together to develop new ideas for school. They experiment, observe, collect data, and discover what truly helps children learn. In this lecture, Prof. Dr. Anke Langner will show how a school can also function as a research laboratory—and how children’s ideas can shape the school of the future. Together, we’ll also explore what ideas you yourselves have for the school of tomorrow.
As a child, Prof. Langner wanted to become a lawyer.
“I Feel Something You Can’t See!”: Strong Emotions and Mental Health
Linn Radtke
Research Associate in the Department of Education and Psychology (FU Berlin)
November 10, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. | Deutsches Hygiene-Museum, Main Hall
Why do we sometimes get angry, sad, or anxious? And why does it feel good to talk to someone about our worries? You can’t see emotions, yet they influence how we think, act, and feel. In this Children’s University lecture, we’ll explore the world of mental health: We’ll discover what emotions do to our bodies, why all emotions are important, and what helps us when they become overwhelming. Through exciting examples and hands-on activities, we’ll learn how to take good care of ourselves and boost our well-being.
As a child, Linn Radtke wanted to be a circus performer and a detective.