On these pages we will introduce you to the different activities planned for Opean Day. Some activities are still being planned so no definite information is yet available. But we will provide updates as soon as possible

In the labs: 

You cannot only watch our scientists at work but 'dive in' yourself. Whether it's looking down the microscope, learning about microplastics or carrying out chemical experiments - you can turn into a scientist yourself

Onboard: 

On open day, you can visit our research vessels and learn about modern sampling technologies but also take a scientific 'trip down memory lane' and see how scientists worked decades ago.

In the library

We are not only keen to satisfy your scientific curiosity but we will serve coffee and cakes in the library so that you can get a break. 

The Biologische Anstalt Helgoland operates some of the oldest time series in the world. The phytoplankton and zooplankton time series in particular have not only been run continuously for several decades but they are also temporally highly resolved meaning that samples for these time series are taken and analysed much more often that is the case in many other time series around the world. This facilitates a unique insight in the North Sea ecosystem but also means a lot of work on the ships as well as in our laboratories, where the different parameters have to be measured and the plankton and other organisms counted.

On open day you can gain an insight in all the steps involved in the  generation of the data. On our research vessels Uthörn and Heincke for instance examine different sampling and analytical methods. In the laboratory you can view different samples through the microscope and try to identify them. We will also show you state-of-the-art methods with which you can examine samples almost automatically.

The AWI's scientific dive centre is one of the largest institutions of its kind in Europe. On BAH Open day you will have the opportunity to meet the scientific dive team in BAH Building B, to ask questions about all aspects of scientific diving and to learn about the equipment and methodologies needed for scientific dive projects. You can find additional information at: <link typo3 sysext cms layout edit>www.awi.de/forschung/besondere-gruppen/wissenschaftliches-tauchen.html&nbsp;

The BAH operates a specimen supply service. Upon request this delivers biological material to universities and research institutes for their own research but also for teaching. On open day you can learn more about what this important job entails. In a touch pool you can also get to know some of the species typical for the Helgoland rocky shore.

We are surrounded by microbes and many of them are vital for our survival. Bacteria live in water, in the air and also in marine sediments. The working group Microbial Ecology will show examples of how microbial communities vary in different habitats. Using classical cultures and photographic documentation we will make this invisible world visible and demonstrate differences between different marine habitats (algae, sediments, plastic). Introduction to microbial communities using classical approaches will be linked to the presentation of current research themes and the state of the art technologies used to study the microbial ecology around Helgoland.

You always wanted to know what drives marine food webs? Here you can find out. The food web working group is will introduce you to interesting facts on everything from crabs and jellies (in the cellar) to the significance of different chemical elements for marine organisms (in room 109) and the role of fatty acids in marine food webs (room 105).