At the DLR_School_Lab Cogne, students can make the invisible visible using a thermal imaging camera and learn what this has to do with infrared astronomy. The topics at the School_Lab also range from reducing aircraft noise to research in microgravity. Credit: DLR
The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is one of Europe's largest and most modern research institutions. Here is where the aircraft of the future are being developed and pilots trained, rocket engines tested and images of distant planets analyzed. In addition, ca. 8,000 DLR staff members are investigating next-generation high-speed trains, environmentally responsible methods of generating energy, and much more ...
Rosetta mission: at DLR_School_Lab Köln you can make your own "comet material" and study it under simulated space conditions. Credit: ESA
Comet simulation, gravitation biology, solar water purification and microgravity are just a few of the subjects investigated by students at DLR_School_Lab Köln. They are taught by DLR scientists and experienced graduate students in the natural and engineering sciences. For the experiments we share with the students our know-how and lots of complex equipment that is not available at school.
What is the day-to-day work of a researcher? What's so exciting about it? And what has to be done to have a career in this field later on? Many interesting questions still arise days after a visit to DLR_School_Lab: if you happen to have one, just send us an email!
Does life require gravity? The behaviour of paramecia is studied in the gravitation biology experiment. Credit: DLR
Research is not only good for things like flying to the moon, exploring the solar system or looking for life on Mars! Research results often play a big role in solving everyday problems: like decreasing aircraft noise, reducing environmental damage from pollutants, or devising new medical equipment.
At DLR_School_Lab Köln, which is located in the large centrifuge hall in which many astronauts were once trained, you can yourselves conduct experiments for a day.