Open Day
A special event at the Immanuel Kant School (IKS), usually in mid-February, opens the school’s doors for one day: Open Day. Potential new students, as well as long-time residents, can find out more about the school here. This of course requires that enough projects are worked out beforehand. Schreiber has been able to participate in this process for several years, especially in 2007 and 2008, with various projects. The projects served to introduce the biology department and the astronomy group.
The use was not only considered possible, but particularly important, as other projects had already set great standards: video films, light shows, smoke projectors, amplifiers, loudspeakers…
The Open Day, always great fun to be there, even if it involves a lot of preparation, and always a success.
… in 2010
Almost a year after passing the Abitur, on February 6th to be precise, it was time again: Open Day at the Immanuel Kant School 2010. And the Astronomy Working Group was also represented again - of course! By the way, despite the graduation of some of the members, nothing had changed, but the focus of the presentation had. The aim of the working group was not to look at astronomy from the scientific side as in previous years, but to roughly shed light on the historical development (of astronomy) using the biographies of five famous astronomers and scientists. Of course, this means: Copernicus, Brahe, Kepler, Galileo and Newton.
To create atmosphere and try something new, empty picture frames were photographed and the original portraits of the scientists were digitally inserted into them. This created a kind of exhibition in which - as is appropriate - subtitles and descriptions were the biographies. The working group collected all the facts and distributed them as flyers.
One hundred gummy bear prizes for a crossword puzzle were intended to draw the crowd’s attention to the working group. Strange, because in the end all 100 prizes had disappeared, but only about 60 prizes had been awarded. So either gummy bears can move, or the astronomy working group was hungrier than expected…
For the fourth time in a row, it was a successful day, with the best audience in the world and a few inexplicable candy phenomena.
… in 2009
It was that time again: mid-February, the IKS Open Day.
After the previous events were very well received, the Astronomy AG set new standards for 2009. “Why look far away?”; the project was: Our solar system. From an astronomical point of view, the nine celestial bodies in our star system are neighbors.
But the youth research group “Loud Silence” also presented its project in a colorful way. The previous day was the 44th regional competition at Fraport.
Astronomy AG
After months of planning and design, weeks of waiting and days of final preparations, it finally arrived: Open Day 2009.
The Astronomy AG announced a big show in the January issue of the school newspaper “Kantaktuell”. Expectations were higher than in the last two years. With flyers, self-made films and a total of nine posters, the AG brought the numerous visitors closer to the celestial bodies in our solar system.
In the meantime, the two old films on the topics of “space flight” and “Saturn” were shown. Particular attention was paid to the online quiz on the AG website.
A large rush of visitors, “spacey” ambience and even better conversations meant that the Open Day once again came to a successful end. A great day for the AG!
Jugend forscht
Young, interested students from year 11 met Jugend-forscht. The three researchers investigated the noise in the IKS. Breaks, lessons and the bistro were analyzed in terms of noise pollution and the risk of noise damage. Around 100 students were audiometrically tested and asked about their listening habits. On February 13, which was a Friday, they presented their results to the jurors of the Fraport regional competition - and with success.
One day later, the project was a must at the open day. The visitors received the project with curiosity and great interest!
It was a particular pleasure to see the Jugend-forscht competition from the perspective of a supervisor!
… in 2008
The doors were wide open - again!
After the Open Day in 2007 was such a great success and expectations for 2008 were high, a sophisticated multimedia show was needed. And that’s exactly what the Astronomy AG had in mind. Their theme “Saturn - The Lord of the Rings” was the focus. But how do you package information in a video that is both interesting and attention-grabbing?
The Jugend-forscht-AG of the IKS, which had been very successful in the regional competition the day before, also introduced itself. The Immanuel Kant School was so successful that it received a special prize. Three groups of students presented their projects to the visitors.
The positive impact of these successes was clearly noticeable!
Astronomy AG
The real Lord of the Rings is far, far away.
Saturn is unique in its appearance. The Astronomy AG presented it appropriately with a multimedia show.
A specially produced 15-minute information film was shown. The recent Titan mission (Titan is a moon of Saturn) inspired us to simulate it in the film mentioned. From takeoff to landing, the viewer could virtually take part in the journey through space. An oversized loudspeaker system provided a bass-heavy, spacey sound and gave the viewer a deep immersion in the action. The performance was rounded off with light effects that were made visible using a fog machine. Many people came just to see the fog!
Last but not least, we had created some large-format posters and the youngsters had contributed a beautiful moon phase simulation - respect!
It’s no surprise that we’re already planning for 2009! Nothing will be revealed…
Youth Research
The Immanuel Kant School was quite successful in the Youth Research competition 2008:
In the category “Students experiment”, two groups from the Immanuel Kant School entered the competition in the field of biology:
Lea Pipo and Agapi Georgoula, both 13 years old, examined the formation of mold in bread under a microscope. They wanted to know how quickly mold spores germinate and whether the formation of mold depends on the packaging. For the packaging they chose the typical wrappers for lunch, which unfortunately some students sometimes forget in their school bags.
They received 3rd prize for their work “Does packaging play a role in the formation of mold?”. (Text taken from the IKS-HP.)
Manuel Ockel and André Lopez, both also 13 years old, were awarded 3rd prize for their work “Fabric paints with UV protection, alternatives from the environment?” Biology winners of the regional competition. Both students, annoyed by the annoying task of wearing T-shirts on the beach, investigated whether clothing fabrics really protect against harmful UV rays. They also wanted to know whether the permeability to UV rays depends on the type of fabric and whether dyeing with natural dyes also has an effect. They examined the permeability with a spectrometer, which they were able to use in the physics department at Rüsselsheim University of Applied Sciences thanks to the mediation of Prof. Dr. Völklein. (Text taken from the IKS website.)
Torben Friedrich, Lucas Hamann and Christian Drischler became regional and later state winners for Hesse in the Youth Research “Working World” category for their work: “Excuse me? Do musicians really hear worse?”, in which they investigated the risk of hearing damage among musicians in school bands. They also received the special prize from the statutory accident insurance.
The teams had set up their stands in the school and were able to present their work to interested visitors.
… in 2007
The doors were wide open.
The extensive preparations and efforts were countered by the feedback from visitors. Was all the effort in vain? - Not at all!
Regardless of these two projects, the 2007 Open Day at the IKS was an informative and interesting day for visitors, teachers and students. We heard that everyone was very satisfied.
Astronomy AG
Is there life up there?
No idea, but things are really happening down here.
In Room 332 the Astronomy AG presented its work. With self-made and set posters, people could learn about astronomical effects. Whether it was the Doppler effect, exoplanets, transit method or just general astronomical knowledge, there was a lot on offer. Even the practical side was not neglected. The Doppler effect was experimentally demonstrated using tuning forks. The visitors’ attention was caught by the welcoming poster “Hello… is anyone there…” and the music of the film. Effects were played with, including the dance of the planets during the Strauss waltz “Wiener Blut”. The project ran under the title: “Exoplanets - the second Earth?!”
Exoplanets, or extrasolar planets, are those that are outside our planetary system. In recent years, specialist magazines have often reported on them, and there was - and still is - a competition to see who can discover exoplanets. “Finding” them is extremely difficult and requires a lot of technical equipment and know-how.
It is hoped that life forms will be found on such exotic planets - but so far without success. It will be exciting!
This writer was concerned with the Doppler effect and general knowledge.
Biology
“Have the courage to use your own mind!”
This is what Immanuel Kant said. The biology department, on the other hand, said we need an interesting presentation for the 2007 Open Day. Tricky but still easy, because biology, with its wealth of knowledge, is an ideal playground for ideas.
The concept “From students for students” was born. A slim 15-minute video presentation showing the work in the high school classes was presented in room 313. Students and teachers express their opinions in a relaxed manner. The aim is to provide interested primary school students with entertaining information on their way to high school. That sounds more pretentious than it is. The 15-minute film gets its special effect from the soundtrack of the IKS Swing Kids. Jazz at its finest!
According to feedback from the numerous visitors, this was a considerable success. Realism and contrast were praised.
“The spirit of Kant has done good work!”