Due to the large demand for public educational programs the Chemistry department launched the NaT-working laboratory for pupils in 1999. Our research group was among the initiators of that program.
The NaT-working Educational Programs Office collaborates with teachers and the community to provide high-quality science education to primary and high school students.
The NaT-working Educational Programs Office currently runs numerous programs that seek to improve the quality of school science education. Faculty, postdoctoral associates, graduate students, undergraduates, and staff of the Chemistry department and the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research as well as the Ada Lovelace Group have developed and enhanced hands-on science lessons for classroom use.
In the past year, the educational outreach programs reaching approximately 200 undergraduates, 5000 pupils and nearly 100 schools.
The generous funding from the
- Robert Bosch-Stiftung
- Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft
- Chemieverbände Rheinland-Pfalz
- Fonds der Chemischen Industrie
- Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Weiterbildung, Forschung und Kultur (MWWFK)
- Ministerium für Bildung, Frauen und Jugend (MBFJ)
allowed NaT-working Educational Programs to become a very successful project with a large impact for schools in the Rhein-Main area.
Related educational programs are run by the Physics, Mathematics and Earth Science departments. In order to focus these individual initiatives science the interdisciplinary NaT-Lab was launched in 2002.
The general goals of the NaT-Lab are
- to increase the exposure of the community to scientific concepts and new technological achievements in order to advance scientific understanding
- to attract talented students with a key interest in Chemistry and science , investment and professional services
- to enhance the quality of education and skills, enrich intellectual life and to be an entry point to the latest international thinking
The strategy of the NaT-Lab is to offer science educational programs students of all age groups starting from 4th graders to cutting-edge research programs for undergraduates in an exciting scientific research environment.
As a part of this program we offer experimental chemistry shows with spectacular experiments, anecdotes and curiosities from the history of chemistry (more about this 
)
Furthermore, we are engaged in a special summer research program offered by the Chemistry department with a stipend, room in one of the doorms close to campus and additional funds for travel. During this one week program students will work with scientists on interdisciplinary research projects involving chemistry, materials science and biology disciplines. Students will also participate in an organized program of lectures, mini-courses (e.g. electronics, microscopy), laboratory visits and a variety of recreational activities.