ISTA for Kids
Science Education at Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA)
ISTA for Kids & Science Education
We want to grow the fascination for science in society and inspire children – the researchers of tomorrow. To this end, the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) hosts a range of outreach events and summer camps, and continually develops Science Education activities and resources for children of all ages, and for educators.
On this site:
Open Campus
Every year in spring, ISTA celebrates its birthday with Open Campus, a big family science party. This year’s Open Campus festival takes place on June 4, 2023. You can find more information about the Open Campus 2023 here:
Science Camps for Kids and Teens
What actually happens at an international research institute and how is science done there? In our summer campus research programs, young people get to know the ISTA campus, meet scientists, visit laboratories and learn about the latest research in a fun way. In various workshops, students in different age groups from 6 years onwards can experiment, research, tinker, program, and experience the scientific way of thinking up close.
Please note that all programs are held in German!
Sommercampus Kids (Grades 1-3)
5-day research program
In this one-week research program, you take your first steps into research! You can choose from three different exciting research experiences, and at the end of the week you will present the results of your discoveries in a research exhibition and receive the Summer Campus Diploma!
Nature Explorer – Abenteuer Wienerwald
There is a lot to discover in the Wienerwald area. We explore different habitats, learn about the biodiversity of the area and implement a Citizen Science Experiment. This is where you explore nature with the eyes of a researcher!
Expedition in die Welt der Kunst und Wissenschaft
Young researchers watch out! The museum gugging invites you to an exciting journey of discovery in and around the museum. We will explore what art and science have in common, be inspired by science for creative works, play art detectives, solve the Gugging quiz and follow in the footsteps of Gugging artist Johann Garber.
Geschichtsdetektive – der Vergangenheit auf der Spur
What treasures are kept in the treasury of Klosterneuburg Abbey and what is hidden behind the mysterious code of the Abbey library? Find out together with the monastery’s historians and experiment with old handicraft techniques!
Dates & Costs:
- Monday July 31 to Friday August 4 – € 150,- per participant
- Monday August 7 to Friday August 11 – € 150,- per participant
- Monday August 14 to Friday August 18 (Holiday on Tuesday – no program!) – € 120,- per participant
Including lunch and a snack (camp without overnight stay)
Program & supervision hours: 9:00 – 16:00 (Friday until 15:00)
Location: ISTA Campus (Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg). The program „Expedition in die Welt der Kunst und Wissenschaft“ will partially take place at museum gugging (Am Campus 2, 3400 Klosterneuburg). The program „Geschichtsdetektive – der Vergangenheit auf der Spur“ will partially take place at Stift Klosterneuburg (Stiftspl. 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg)
Please note that all programs are held in German!
At this time, we can only offer waiting list registrations for the Sommercampus 2023
Sommercampus Juniors (Grades 4-6)
5-day research program
In this one-week research program you will dive into the world of science together with top researchers at ISTA. You can choose from three different research programs, and at the end of the week you will present the results of your discoveries in an exhibition and receive your Summer Campus Diploma!
BioLab – Forschung im molekularbiologischen Labor
Dive into the world of cells and molecules and explore how life works from the ground up. With selected experiments, you’ll learn about things like DNA, proteins, and microbes, and discover a lot about yourself and how you’re related to all living things on Earth.
Computer Science & Robotics
Have you ever watched a robot vacuum cleaner? How does it know where to go? In this research program you, will build and program your own robots and learn to program your first computer game.
Tinkering – Die Erfinder:innen-Werkstatt des ISTA
Tinker like a scientist, from a robot hand to a rocket! In this research program, you’ll be immersed in a creative design process: building new things from everyday materials, testing and improving them. You’ll also visit the professional tinkerers at ISTA’s development workshop, learning how inevitable failure is the best and fastest path to success.
Dates & Costs:
- Monday July 31 to Friday August 4 – € 150,- per participant
- Monday August 7 to Friday August 11 – € 150,- per participant
- Monday August 14 to Friday August 18 (Holiday on Tuesday – no program!) – € 120,- per participant
Including lunch and a snack (camp without overnight stay)
Program & supervision hours: 9:00 – 16:00 (Friday until 15:00)
Location: ISTA Campus (Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg)
Please note that all programs are held in German!
At this time, we can only offer waiting list registrations for the Sommercampus 2023
Fakebusters Bootcamp (Grades 9-13)
3-day research program
How do we know what information to trust and what is fake? How do scientists do it? In our Fakebusters Bootcamp, high school students practice recognizing the difference between reliable scientific information and fakes and finding their way in a world full of data. Besides a lot of games, puzzles and experiments are, there will also be room for deep discussions and getting to know researchers.
Neuro-Science Bootcamp (Grades 9-13)
3-day research program
If you’ve always wanted to know what our brains can do, then you’ve come to the right place! At the Neuro-Science Bootcamp for high school students, we’ll get nerve cells firing, learn how our senses work – and how they can be fooled, and learn what goes on in the lab of brain researchers.
Dates:
- Tuesday August 22 to Thursday August 24
Costs: € 90,- for 3 days including lunch and a snack (camp without overnight stay)
Program schedule: 9:00 – 16:00 (Friday until 15:00)
Location: ISTA Campus (Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg)
Please note that all programs are held in German!
At this time, we can only offer waiting list registrations for the Sommercampus 2023
The Sommercampus is sponsored by:
Workshop partners:
For Schools and Educators
Science Education Day
The Institute’s Science Education Day is an annual event for teachers, scientists and all those interested in communicating science.
ISTA School competition
Every year, the institute calls for submissions to a school competition open to all ages. Please find more information about this year’s topic, categories and how to participate on www.ista.ac.at/schulwettbewerb.
Zoom a Scientist
Meet ISTA scientists online in a Zoom Session to talk about a science topic of your choice and learn what it’s like to be a scientist!
Check out this program for school classes on the “Zoom a Scientist” page.
Science × Education Seminar
For teachers and all those interested in science education: The Science × Education Seminar of ISTA (SESI) brings STEM topics from the environment of a world-renowned multidisciplinary research institute into educational practice every 2 months. Link to SESI details and dates (German only).
#STEMLooksLikeMe
How can one make students interested in STEM professions and strengthen their self-confidence and interest? What is unconscious bias with regard to gender and STEM education and how can I deal with it as a teacher? How can I help my students recognize their own gender bias and deal with it constructively?
Link to #STEMLooksLikeMe (Information available in German only)
School visits
School classes of all ages and school types are always welcome to visit our campus! We are looking forward to your inquiry at science.education@ist.ac.at.
Virus Alert in Stayhompton
„Virus alert in Stayhompton“ is an educational board game for players from 12 years of age developed in collaboration with ISTA scientists. It is freely available as a download in English and German and via mail (German only) here.
Pop-up Science
Discover our online DIY science program for kids aged 7-12 years! Find ideas for DIY experiments, interviews with researchers, and more on the Pop-up Science page (mostly German).
Don’t miss out on the three episodes of Supergscheit!, the crazy experiments show (English subtitles available).
Educational Resources
Distance-Learning Course: Selected topics in Evolutionary Biology (STEB) (English)
Teaching material: Evolutionary activities (English)
