„Learning is experiencing, everything else is information.“
(Albert Einstein)

To arouse curiosity, cause amazement and provoke questions - this is Universum^®'s educational concept. Why don't we have a volcano in the garden? Does everyone see things in the same way? What is behind the moon? Universum^® offers visitors varied and individual ways of researching scientific topics, with personal experience forming the starting point for cognitive processes.

Universum^® is a centre of excellence for research- and discovery-based learning. Children, students, senior citizens and families are all introduced to the sciences by means of play. Teachers and educators are shown a new learning method and learn how to integrate into daily school life.

The aim is:

• to connect theory-based education and practical experience in schools and kindergartens and create a challenging and intensive learning environment.
• to strengthen links between schools, kindergartens, universities, artists, craftsmen and companies in the region.
• to constitute a communications and cooperation centre for educators and teachers, parents and all other stakeholders and interested parties in the education process.
• to act as a creative development laboratory and place for pilot and model projects.

In research- and discovery-based learning, the focus is on the individual. Each person determines, tries out and reflects on their own learning path. Research- and discovery-based can include the following:

• discovery and observation of natural phenomena.
• experimentation and construction.
• invention and alteration of trials.
• development, expression and examination of presumptions.
• documentation of results.
• use of detours.
• group work.
• active research, e.g. questioning experts.
• Evaluation, presentation and discussion of results.

Educational activities include:

• information events
• training and workshops for educators
• family events
• excursions
• researcher days in kindergartens and schools (with mixed ages in some cases)
• research projects
• permanent and temporary exhibition programmes.

The Universum^® educational team covers all subjects, ages and institutions. It collaborates with a large number of establishments including the Senator für Bildung und Wissenschaft Bremen (Senator for Education and Science in Bremen), the Bremische Evangelische Kirche (Bremen Evangelical Church), the Senator für Jugend und Soziales Bremen (Senator for Youth and Social Affairs in Bremen), the Universität Bremen (University of Bremen) and individual agencies and institutions from Bremen, Lower Saxony and Hamburg.

A range of educational material has been developed and is available under Materials (in German only). It includes logbooks for schoolchildren, handouts for teachers and a multimedia CD-ROM.