For Students and Teachers
The Life Science Learning Lab (German name Gläsernes Labor) on the Berlin-Buch campus opened in 1999 and was one of the first learning labs for high school students in Germany. Nationwide, it is now regarded as a prototype for the establishment, focus and sustainability of extracurricular teaching facilities within science and biotechnology parks. According to the motto “experience – comprehension – understanding”, the Life Science Learning Lab offers more than 20 experimental courses in genetics, neurobiology, cell biology, ecology, radioactivity, renewable energy and chemistry for secondary school students in five modern labs every year. The courses focus on method competence, motivation and career guidance in life sciences.
The educational concept is designed to ensure that all experiments are closely related to the school curriculum and that the students perform experiments independently in small groups. The courses are led by scientists from the campus research institutions. With more than 15,000 students and teachers who participate in courses each year, the Life Science Learning Lab is one of the most visited learning labs in Germany.
Assistance in career choice and planning is given through further offers, such as a week-long intensive course in molecular biology and a summer academy. In collaboration with the Berlin education board, certified advanced training courses for teachers are also offered.
For Professionals
The Life Science Learning Lab addresses the ever increasing technical requirements of laboratory work by offering qualification courses geared to specific target groups. The courses are designed for technical staff and lab technicians from life science research institutions and biotech companies. These must adapt faster and faster to new developments and product innovations. In addition, requirements have become more demanding in the organization of work processes, in the planning and interpretation of experiments and in obtaining information. For more than ten years, the Life Science Learning Lab has been offering continuing education courses for technical staff and scientists in collaboration with TÜV Rheinland. The topics include molecular biology, real-time PCR and GMP.
For the Public
The public is invited to learn more about the latest developments in life sciences at the Learning Lab. The Life Science Learning Lab participates in events such as the Open Houses and thematic science years of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research as well as the Long Night of the Sciences on the Berlin-Buch campus. The Life Science Learning Lab is part of the BBB Management GmbH Campus Berlin-Buch – the management and development company of the science, health and biotechnology park Berlin-Buch.