Physics and Astronomy Club
The focus is an ongoing club in which pupils work at the FUTURA Observatory with real infrastructure, astronomical data and questions close to research.
Activities
FUTURA Observatory
The FUTURA Observatory in Neu Golm connects school-based educational work with real measurement data, radio astronomy and event formats close to research.
Project
Educational Project in Radio Astronomy
Alongside project-based learning formats, the Foundation also supports educational opportunities in a school context. A central element is the Physics and Astronomy Club at the FUTURA Observatory in Neu Golm.
Cooperations
The Foundation works in particular with SFZ Pankow e.V. and other stakeholders in science education.
People Involved
Safia Ouazi, Alexander Stendal from SFZ Pankow and Dr.-Ing. Andreas Fischer organise the formats and provide expert and didactic support.
Formats
- Workshops
Working with real radio spectra and independently exploring astronomical structures. - Pupil conferences
Presenting individual projects and engaging in depth with scientific questions. - Practical learning settings
Connecting the school context, research logic and technical infrastructure.
Role of the Foundation
The Foundation creates the infrastructural basis for running the events and provides the rooms in which the formats can be implemented.
This creates a lasting framework in which educational work and scientific practice are directly connected.
Completed Events
Workshops and Conferences Since Autumn 2025
Since autumn 2025, several radio astronomy formats have been held. They were aimed at pupils from different year groups and connected real data with scientific work.
17.03.2026
Workshop for an Upper-school Astronomy Course
Robert-Havemann-Gymnasium, Berlin
17.02.2026
Workshop "Mapping the Milky Way"
with international participants from a school in Nanjing, China
16.12.2025
Radio Astronomy Pupil Conference
around 45 participants from several schools
26.11.2025
Workshop "Mapping the Milky Way"
around 20 participants, Robert-Havemann-Gymnasium, Berlin
Formats & Concept
Making Radio Astronomy and the Earth Station Tangible
The events are offered in two formats: as a pupil conference and as a workshop. Both formats connect the history of the site with pupils' own activity and current scientific work.
Structure of an Event Day
- Introduction to the site
The day begins with an introduction to the Earth Station, SENSYS activities and the reactivation project in Neu Golm. - Pupil conference
In this format, pupils present their own radio astronomy projects and discuss their results in a specialist setting. - Workshop "Mapping the Milky Way"
Participants actively work with radio spectra of the Milky Way and enter the position of the spiral arms into a prepared coordinate system. - Working with real measurement infrastructure
The spectra used come from the first Milky Way survey of NG01, the 12-metre parabolic antenna in Neu Golm.
Scientifically Developed Learning Materials
The tasks are not standard school lesson formats. They are designed in cooperation with Joachim Köppen from the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics in Kiel and prepared on a sound scientific basis.
For the work, pupils receive a dedicated radio astronomy booklet with tasks and learning materials. Data analysis, orientation in a coordinate system and astronomical interpretation are translated into a structured learning format.
The combination of an Earth Station tour, real data sets and independent work makes radio astronomy tangible and inspires young people to engage with technology and science.
Further Topics in Development
The educational opportunities are currently being expanded in content. Further task formats are being prepared to link key contributions of radio astronomy with the school curriculum and sharpen awareness of our place in the universe.
Rotation curve of our Milky Way
Mass of a fast supernova remnant
Temperature of the Sun
Curriculum connection
Research with real-world relevance
Didactic Approach
School and Research Are Directly Connected
The data used comes from measurements taken with a 12-metre parabolic antenna and is prepared didactically so that it can be worked on in a school context.
Content of the Formats
- Working with real radio spectra
Measurement data is not simulated but obtained from real observations. - Analysing astronomical data
Pupils explore structures of the Milky Way using concrete data sets. - Mapping the spiral arms
The data is used to make galactic structures visible and understandable. - Presenting individual projects
Pupil conferences encourage reflection, presentation skills and deeper understanding.
What Makes These Formats Special
The content is developed in cooperation with scientific institutions and goes beyond conventional classroom material. Participants gain direct insights into current research approaches.
The connection between practical work, scientific methodology and technical infrastructure promotes a deeper understanding of scientific contexts and shows how research actually works.
From Observatory to Mission
The technical development of the facility is also the basis for educational formats and participation in larger research contexts.