Science? But the kind you can get involved in! Fertilising? But of course!

Do scientists prefer to stick to their own kind? Not at all! Especially not when it comes to useful insights that people can incorporate into their everyday lives and that can make the world a little better. At Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, a recent ‘citizen science event’ brought scientists together with young people and enabled them to play an active part in the research process.

On 20 September, at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, scientists shared their knowledge of how everyday kitchen scraps can be turned into valuable natural fertiliser in no time at all with 70 pupils from the DPFA-Regenbogen-Gymnasium in nearby Augustusburg. Some of the pupils had already been looking into fermentation and the so-called bokashi bucket over the past few months.

In Mittweida, there was then a small but excellent ‘science conference’ on the topic: Dr David Spencer, a plant biologist, science slammer and YouTuber, gave a talk on ‘Taming Plants Made Easy’, whilst Franz Kapser from EM-Sachsen in Rochlitz spoke on ‘Soil, Plants, People – A Friendship’ about Effective Microorganisms (EM). Josephine Hunger, a pupil from Augustusburg, and Synnöve Hochstein from the EURECA-PRO team at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences reported on their practical experiences from the experiments with the bokashi bucket.

The EURECA-PRO team had organised the event, which concluded with a tour of the Mittweida campus. Hochstein says: “It is important to us to share scientific findings on sustainability and bring them to the public. It’s also brilliant to get school pupils involved and actively engaged in the research process. Today was a successful example of how we can promote awareness of a sustainable lifestyle in a very practical way.”

The pupils were also delighted. Through interactive games such as the sustainability quiz and the CO₂ game, they were able to test or expand their knowledge. And, of course, the pupils also learnt how easy it is to make their own bokashi bucket so they can live sustainably at home.

The event at Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, entitled ‘Fertilising? But of course!’, took place as part of the university’s participation in the European University Alliance for Responsible Consumption and Production – EURECA-PRO. Nine universities across eight European countries have made it their mission to conduct joint research and teaching on sustainable consumption and production. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 12 – to embed sustainable consumption and production into society – is at the heart of EURECA-PRO’s mission and vision. One way of achieving this is through citizen science events such as the open day at the university for school pupils. Further events of this kind are in the pipeline.