A pop-up store of science

With the Science Gallery in the city centre of Ingolstadt, the Ingolstadt University of Technology (THI) and the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (KU) have created a place where current research topics of both universities are presented and discussed. Now a change of exhibitors is imminent.

As part of the "Mensch in Bewegung" project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the two universities have been inviting people to come to the rooms since July 2021 to find out about exciting projects and research results and to discuss important topics for the future together with researchers and teachers. In a short time, the Science Gallery established itself as a "showcase for science" and a meeting place. The idea was realised within the framework of an innovation fund and was designed to run for just under two years. Now the funding period is coming to an end.

"Making science tangible"

Walter Schober, President of the THI, sums it up as follows: "The transfer room made it possible to transport research results directly to the citizens and thus make science tangible. With the thematic exhibitions, we were able to show what contribution our universities are capable of making to the pressing issues of our time." Over the past year and a half, various exhibitions on socially relevant topics such as sustainability, digitalisation and innovative mobility have been shown here. This attracted more than 2000 visitors to the rooms in the pedestrian zone.

However, the Science Gallery can still be visited until the summer. From mid-March, the SAVeNoW exhibition will open there. SAVeNoW is a research project funded by the German Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport. The central question with which the project addresses citizens is "How can the traffic of the day after tomorrow be made safe, efficient and sustainable in Ingolstadt"? Visitors can explore a sensor map, test traffic scenarios in a driving simulator and experience the interior of an autonomous shuttle bus.

The science gallery will be open to the public from 11.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Mondays to Fridays until August 2023. After that, based on the experience gained in setting up the Science Gallery, the two universities want to expand the concept of multimedia, interactive science exhibitions successfully established there into a mobile concept for "science exhibitions", travelling exhibitions or "science road shows" in the region.

Those who want to take a virtual look around the Science Gallery can also call up all previous exhibitions in their browser. The 360-degree tour offers exciting insights into current research projects with lots of background information from the comfort of your couch at home.

Project information "Mensch in Bewegung"

For more than five years, the THI and the KU have been cooperating within the framework of the project "Mensch in Bewegung" to promote the joint transfer of knowledge and technology between science, politics, business and civil society in the region. The two universities are being funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research for another five years with around ten million euros. The goal of the second project phase is to firmly institutionalise the transfer at the universities and to further expand it in cooperation with society and business.