"Balance of the Microverse" joins the 4th MINT Festival Jena

The Cluster of Excellence "Balance of the Microverse" is excited to be part of the 4^th MINT Festival Jena, taking place from 16–18 September 2025 at the Ernst-Abbe-Platz campus of the University ofJena. This large-scale science festival offers hands-on access to the worlds of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology for school students ranging from primary to upper secondary levels.

This year’s festival is dedicated to the theme of "Communication", and our Cluster will contribute with a unique interactive science event that makes the hidden world of microorganisms come alive.

Science meets show – and microbes!

On 16 September from 10:00–11:00, we invite students in lower secondary school to join us at Jena’s Planetarium for an immersive experience:

• Live science show: Entertainer Jack Pop hosts an engaging stage show full of exciting experiments exploring how microbes generate electricity and impact our everyday lives.

• Fulldome film screening: Our 15-minute film “KARL and KARLA in the Microverse” offers a visual journey into microbial life, projected in the Planetarium's dome theatre.

• Interactive microscopy station: Meet real scientists from the Cluster and explore microbial samples under the microscope.

This interdisciplinary format—combining film, science communication, and hands-on activities—aims to spark curiosity about microbiology and introduce young minds to the invisible yet essential role microbes play in the world around us.

Participation is free of charge, but registration by a teacher is required starting 4 June 2025 via www.mint.uni-jena.de.

MINT Festival meets Highlights of Physics

The MINT Festival Jena 2025 coincides with the renowned Highlights of Physics—a national physics event hosted by the German Physical Society—bringing an extra dose of scientific excitement to the city. With more than 80 interactive activities, science shows, and lectures from over 30 institutions, the festival offers a rich and diverse programme for exploring the frontiers of science and technology.

We are proud to contribute to this collaborative effort to inspire the next generation of researchers and innovators.