Back
close
Studying Overview
Research Overview
Executive Education Overview
News Overview
University Overview
Back

Events - 29.10.2024 - 08:00 

20 years of the Children's University

Children's University at the University of St.Gallen celebrates its birthday! In the winter semester of 2003/04, HSG was the first university in Switzerland to start a programme aimed at a young audience. This fall, the Children's University celebrates its 20th anniversary. Once again, four lectures will provide entertaining and inspiring insight into the research fields of our professors.

It's hard to believe that 20 years ago, HSG launched the first Children's University in Switzerland with great success. Since then, it has become an integral part of campus life. Thanks to the annually increasing number of visitors, the Children's University in 2023 had a record year with more than 2400 students.

“For 20 years, I have been able to accompany children's curiosity – a new adventure every year. The anniversary invites us to look back and at the same time look forward to the coming years, in which we will continue to inspire many young minds.”
Edith Steiner, organizer of the Children's University

Looking back at 20 years of wonder at the Children's University

An Audimax full of enthusiastic and curious faces: since 2004, researchers from HSG have been sharing their fascination for topics along with children. The numbers from the beginning of the Children's University to today:

  • 87 lectures
  • 22 female lecturers and 65 male lecturers
  • 24 spring and fall semesters
  • around 27,000 children in the past 20 years (Ø 1350 children per year)
  • of which 360 were school classes (Ø 18 school classes per year)
  • more than 3300 certificates (for attending all 4 lectures)
  • more than 25,000 notepads and pencils
  • countless paper airplanes made by hand
  • around 32,000 giveaways (chocolate, biscuits or gummy bears)
“The Children's University is a wonderful way to show the close ties between the cantonal university and the city and region of St.Gallen: with an extensive network, open doors and illustrative topics, it inspires researchers of tomorrow.”
Daniel Cuonz & Jörg Metelmann, directors of the Children's University
“We consider ourselves very lucky to be able to offer such a successful program as part of the HSG's public lectures.”
Daniel Cuonz & Jörg Metelmann, directors of the Children's University

Time travel in pictures

Over the years, our youngest campus visitors have explored a wide range of topics, from robots to Harry Potter to soccer:

Year 2004: “Where does money come from?” – the topic of the very first Children's University with Professor Franz Jäger

Year 2011: full Audimax on the topic “How to invent new products: Daniel Düsentrieb & Co.”

Year 2012: charging batteries with muscle power – together with sustainability professor Rolf Wüstenhagen, the students produce their own energy

Year 2014: dangers and opportunities on the “net”, playfully illustrated by Spiderman

Year 2016: fleeing to Europe – Professor Christoph Frei explains to children why there are families who have to leave their homes

Year 2018: “I'm going shopping – how will I be treated?” On a shopping tour with Professor Urs Fueglistaller

Year 2019: “Hopp St.Gallen!” Surprise visit from Mathias Hüppi, president of FC St.Gallen, and former footballer Silvan Hefti, made possible by Professor Karolin Frankenberger

Also in 2019: Star Wars, Harry Potter and Co.

In 2023: “High-Five!” Professor Sabine Seufert introduces the children to the robot “Lexi”

Also in 2023: football fans in the Audimax Stadium – Sports Management Professor Wolfgang Jenewein discusses with the students who is better, “Messi or Ronaldo?”

Anniversary topics: climate heroes, AI, friendships, buying behavior

At this year's Children's University, our professors will address both big questions about the future and exciting everyday issues. Each lecture offers unique insights, exciting stories and invites you to see the world with new eyes:

Wednesday, October 30:

  • Climate heroes in action: saving the world with clever ideas
    Whether it's big projects or small actions – our climate heroes know how to make the world a better place. Discover how clever ideas protect the environment!

Wednesday, November 6 (fully booked):

  • Healthy with Artificial Intelligence: Ingenious or creepy?
    Is artificial intelligence the key to our health? Join us in a future where AI makes diagnoses and maybe even keeps us healthy.

Wednesday, November 13:

  • Different but still friends: together we are strong against bullying
  • How can we maintain good friendships even when we are different? Together we discover how diversity and solidarity make us strong against bullying.

Wednesday, November 20 (fully booked):

  • My cell phone, my sneakers, my Playstation: Why we like to buy things!? – and what we can learn from them 
    Why do we want this new cell phone or cool sneakers so badly? What is behind our buying behavior – and what can we learn from it?


Further information and registration at: kinderuni.unisg.ch


Images: University of St.Gallen / Hannes Thalmann

north