Program Overview

Labs4Future Program

Introduction

The Labs4Future program is designed to educate and engage youth on the topic of climate change. The program aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the climate crisis and encourage them to develop individual and societal solutions.

Program Content

The program consists of two days of experimentation and discussion on the theme of "Klimakrise" (climate crisis). On the first day, participants work through a mystery to gain central knowledge about the Earth's system, including:

• Calculating Warming Stripes for Bochum
• Distinguishing between weather and climate
• Understanding the carbon cycle and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
• Examining resulting tipping points

The second day builds on the knowledge gained on the first day, focusing on aspects of action and effectiveness. Participants:

• Use area representations ("Treibhaustaler") to assess the greenhouse gas emissions associated with their daily activities and living conditions
• Evaluate the compatibility of societal frameworks and individual decisions in the areas of "living," "mobility," and "consumption" with international climate goals
• Develop visions for structural measures against climate change in a future workshop ("As the mayor of my hometown, I would...")
• Argue for their ideas in a role-playing scenario

Organizational Details

• The program is targeted at students in the middle school level (classes 9 and 10)
• Relevant school subjects: Geography and Physics
• The program can accommodate groups of up to 32 students
• Duration: 8:30 AM to approximately 3:30 PM (including a lunch break)
• There are no costs associated with participation
• Currently, the program is part of a scientific work, and participation can be for one or two project days

Program Structure

The Labs4Future program is structured to provide a comprehensive and interactive learning experience, combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications and discussions. The goal is to empower young people with the knowledge and skills necessary to address the climate crisis effectively.