On 3 April, the Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik (MPIK) took part in the 25th Girls'Day.
The Girls'Day is a nationwide orientation day for girls' career and study orientation, where they can get to know professions or fields of study in which the proportion of women is below 40 percent, e.g. in the areas of IT, crafts, natural sciences and technology.
This year, 32 schoolgirls aged between 10 and 19 took part in a colourful programme at the MPIK, where in five different programmes were offered.
One group was able to experience a day as an astroparticle physicist, in which they analysed real scientific data and recorded their results in a handicraft activity.
Another group built a torch under the expert guidance of the apprentices working at the institute and their trainers, and got to look for the secrets of light. In addition to practical tasks such as soldering and screwing, the girls were given an insight into the work of the workshops and the design department, as well as the training opportunities at the institute. Furthermore, there were several workshops on the topic of light and particles, as well as a particle physics escape room!
For the first time, the MPIK also hosted the Boys' Day, which was established nationwide in 2011 to spark a broad interest in other occupational fields among male students. Under the motto “A look behind the scenes of a research institute” 5 students were able to get to know occupations such as working in occupational safety, purchasing department or glassblowing.
All in all, it was a successful day for everyone involved, during which the students not only had an exciting day, but were also able to gain insights into a physics institute with all the possible career opportunities there.
We are looking forward to the next Girls'Day and Boys'Day on 23 April 2026, at which the MPIK will certainly be represented again!
