For 13 years, the PhotonLab has been welcoming anyone who wants to learn about lasers, light and quantum physics. Every year, more than 2,000 schoolchildren experiment there independently on 20 different experimental setups following brief instructions. In total, around 22,500 interested people have already been able to learn about the exciting properties of light and quanta in the school laboratory. The number of international visitors is growing steadily.
Groups from German-speaking countries – Austria and Switzerland – visit the school lab at the MPQ particularly frequently. School classes from other European countries also like to come and experiment together, for example from Finland (60 pupils), Hungary (70 pupils) and Italy (100 pupils) in 2024. One teacher from the UK was particularly enthusiastic about what the school lab had to offer, saying it was the best school outreach work he had ever experienced. “I've visited pretty much all the universities in the UK and some abroad as part of school physics trips, so that's a pretty big compliment,” he added. All the experiments are excellent and the instructions on the tablets are excellent for explaining the experiments, he says.
However, the PhotonLab's network now extends far beyond Europe's borders and across the globe. School classes from China and South Korea have also visited the school lab. Around ten percent of the 3,000 visitors in 2024 came from abroad. Guests from Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Italy, Greece, Italy, the UK and the USA have already planned to visit in 2025.
It is not only entire school classes that like to take advantage of the PhotonLab's offer to find out more and be inspired. The offer to do an individual internship also extends to physics enthusiasts from all over the world. Last year, interns from Georgia, Egypt, England and Iran took advantage of this opportunity. There is also great international interest in further training on the side of teachers.
For some time now, the school laboratory has also been open to adults looking for an introduction to quantum physics on the monthly “Quantum Fridays”.
About World Quantum Day
The day is celebrated annually by the international research community on April 14. The date alludes to the rounded first digits of Planck's quantum of action (4.14), a fundamental natural constant in quantum physics.
Further offers of the MQV
- MQV In Persona: Personal insights into research
- Quick Quantum Questions: Video answers from quantum experts on YouTube
- Quantum 2025: Exciting events in the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology