Children's University Siegen: On the trail of the seasons

What tricks do animals use to survive the cold season? And what does music tell us about spring, summer, fall and winter? Answers to these and other questions can be found at the University of Siegen's children's university, which this time revolves around the topic of "Seasons". The spring season 2026 comprises five events - including a special guest lecture by the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle/Saale on the Nebra Sky Disk. The bronze plate helped people to determine the right time for sowing and harvesting around 3,700 years ago.

The Children's University Siegen is aimed at children aged eight to twelve (3rd to 6th grade). Each child receives a children's university card at the start of the season, on which they can collect stamps for each event they attend. Those who have at least three stamps will receive a children's university diploma at the end. The regular meeting point for the lectures is Tuesdays at 5 p.m. in the Lecture Hall Center on the Lower Castle Campus in Siegen (room US-C 116). Further information and registration at: https://kinderuni-siegen.de/.

The children's university program at a glance

The Nebra Sky Disk

It starts on February 24 with a special kick-off: Museum educator Alina Ettrich and her team from the State Museum of Prehistory in Halle/Saale will be guests at the Children's University. They will be addressing the question: "Sowing, harvesting, stars: how did people use the Nebra Sky Disk around 3700 years ago?"
The unique bronze plate with golden images of the sun, moon and stars has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Germany since 2013. It shows how people a very long time ago determined the right time for sowing or harvesting, for example.
Please note: The event includes a craft activity and will therefore take place from 4.30 pm to approx. 6.30 pm!

Survival tricks of animals in winter

On March 3, Dr. Theodora Fuss, lecturer at the Department of Chemistry and Biology, from the Ecology and Behavioral Biology working group, will talk about animal survival strategies in winter. From hibernation to antifreeze - animals have developed amazing tricks to survive the cold season. In the lecture, the young researchers learn exactly how hibernation, hibernation and torpor work and how humans can support animals in winter.

Health throughout the year

"Happiness, tooth decay, money and health - are there any connections with regard to nutrition and exercise throughout the year?"
Prof. Dr. Claus Wendt, an expert in the sociology of health and the healthcare system, will explore this question on March 10. In his lecture, the children will find out whether you can be happy as a "couch potato", whether exertion is good for you or should be avoided, and whether there is food that even tastes different throughout the year. Prof. Wendt also discusses whether health is linked to climate change.

The history of holidays

On 17 March, the focus will be on Christmas, Easter, St. Martin's Day and the like: Dr. Niklas Bend from the Department of Catholic Theology will explain the influence religious festivals have on the year.
After all, holidays are more than just days off in the calendar - they tell their story, organize the year and thus provide special highlights, and have done so for a long time.

What music reveals about the seasons

At the end of the season on March 24, things will get musical: Prof. Dr. Bernd Clausen and Felix Ludewig from the Institute of Music will address the question: "Sound of the seasons: What does music tell us about spring, summer, fall and winter?"
After an interactive sound experiment, the children embark on a musical journey. How do composers manage to make us actually think of a specific season when listening to and singing songs? Together with the two music experts, the children examine different sounds in the lecture and learn about the important role the seasons play in music.

Background to the Siegen Children's University

The Children's University of Siegen has been a cooperation between the University of Siegen and the Siegener Zeitung newspaper since 2007. The spring 2026 season is supported by Sparkasse Siegen, the Siegen Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and Siegen's public utilities (SVB).