Two cantonal-school classes visiting the Department of Physics
Middle-school teachers from Uster and Stans traveled with their classes to ETH Zurich. After a tour of the steadily growing Campus Hönggerberg, they visited the Department of Physics. A workshop, presentations and lab visits introduced them to the world of research.
Most of the students were probably for the first time on campus. The whole-day programme of the Cantonal School Uster was already packed in the morning: They visited a half-day workshop on particle physics in the Science Lab of the University of Zurich. Inspired by quarks, electrons, gluons et al., at ETH Zurich it went straight to a very current research topic, quantum physics.
Physics labs, a world to wonder
Two researchers from the research groups of Prof. Tilman Esslinger and Prof. Klaus Ensslin showed the students their labs for quantum optics and nanophysics. To really understand what these researchers work with every day and in what environment they perform their experiments, one has to stand in the high-tech laboratories. In the noise of the pumps and surrounded by cables and hoses feeding the experiments, the fascination of basic research become palpable.
Studying at ETH?
The lab visits provided impressive insight into the world of researchers — a highlight of the day, as the middle-school students reported back. But what is it like to study here? The introductory presentation of Prof. Manfred Sigrist to the department and to the course programme gave context on how the research work relates to the broader environment of ETH Zurich and provided information about studying at ETH. For some, this day has certainly given some clarity that this world is fascinating, but not for them. Others were visibly impressed by the topic. Perhaps they will experience live what it means to study physics at ETH Zurich. On 5 and 6 September 2018, all prospective students are invited to study information days at ETH Zurich.
Research is problem solving
The middle school Nidwalden has asked in advance to learn more about photovoltaics. In a workshop, designed by Prof. Manfred Sigrist especially for them, the pupils saw an old rule confirmed: experiments do not always work on the touch of a button. A lot of patience and experienced handling of failures are also part of everyday research. This is the only way to tackle and ultimately solve "unsolvable" problems — one of the goals of basic research.
Research takes time
Unfortunately, the dye-sensitized solar cell produced during the short workshop did not deliver the desired performance. Much more convincing were the results obtained with the already prepared cells. During the annual study week in the Department of Physics, high-school students interested in physics can produce and successful run such cells themselves without time pressure.
