Phänomenta e.V.

Phänomenta is the umbrella name for a network of permanent interactive science exhibitions in Germany, with locations in Flensburg, Peenemünde, Bremerhaven and Lüdenscheid. The exhibitions present exhibits from natural science and technology, and are designed so that the whole family can experience nature and technology at many stations, explore natural laws up close and literally touch science. Hands-on participation, trying things out, touching and experimenting are explicitly allowed and encouraged. All the senses are engaged, for example with the Große Feder (large spring), the Spiegelflieger (mirror flyer), the Seifenvorhang (soap curtain) or the ball that rolls uphill. The Phänomenta exhibition can be visited at four different locations, which together form the Phänomenta network founded from Flensburg in the 1980s. The underlying concept is to make natural science and physics interesting and understandable for all age groups through experiments that visitors usually carry out entirely by themselves. Information panels accompany each experiment, describing how to perform it and why it leads to the observed result. In Peenemünde, for example, visitors can use leverage to lift a 700 kg Trabant 601 with one hand, and optical illusions are also part of the repertoire. The first Phänomenta was created in the 1980s at the Pädagogische Hochschule in Flensburg, a teacher-training institution specializing in primary, secondary and intermediate school education. The idea is credited to Professor Lutz Fiesser, who received the Bundesverdienstkreuz am Bande in 2017 for his pioneering work in science education. Over time, largely independent offshoots emerged, but the name Phänomenta remained a protected designation; permission to use it for public exhibitions can be requested from the Flensburg Phänomenta. Today there are four permanent exhibitions in Germany: Phänomenta Bremerhaven, Phänomenta Flensburg, Phänomenta Lüdenscheid (founded 1996) and Phänomenta Peenemünde on the island of Usedom (opened 2000). Former Phänomentas, apparently now closed, were located around 2006 in Suhl and, since 1998, in the historic town hall in Templin. Until 2012, two Phänomenta travelling exhibitions toured various German cities. Some Phänomentas still lend out exhibition pieces today. In 2007 the Flensburg Phänomenta, together with the Mathematikum from Gießen, was involved in setting up the first exhibition of the Experiminta in Frankfurt am Main. In 2005 the phæno, a science center with an obviously similar name and concept, opened in Wolfsburg. Since 2016, the establishment of an Einstein Museum modelled on the Phänomenta in Ulm has apparently been under consideration. In recent years, Phänomentas have also been involved in introducing so-called Mini-Phänomentas, smaller Phänomentas at German and foreign schools, for example in Thailand. The individual Phänomenta exhibitions are financed primarily by the respective municipalities, as well as by volunteer support associations and local sponsors. Admission prices are staggered differently depending on the location.

The first Phänomenta was created in the 1980s at the Pädagogische Hochschule in Flensburg, a teacher-training institution specializing in primary, secondary and intermediate school education. The idea is credited to Professor Lutz Fiesser, who received the Bundesverdienstkreuz am Bande in 2017 for his pioneering work in science education. Over time, largely independent offshoots of this first Phänomenta emerged, but the name Phänomenta remained a protected designation; permission to use it for public exhibitions can be requested from the Flensburg Phänomenta. Today there are four permanent exhibitions in Germany: Phänomenta Bremerhaven, Phänomenta Flensburg, Phänomenta Lüdenscheid (founded 1996) and Phänomenta Peenemünde on the island of Usedom (opened 2000). Former Phänomentas, apparently now closed, were located around 2006 in Suhl and, since 1998, in the historic town hall in Templin. Until 2012, two Phänomenta travelling exhibitions toured various German cities. Some Phänomentas still lend out exhibition pieces today. In 2007 the Flensburg Phänomenta, together with the Mathematikum from Gießen, was involved in setting up the first exhibition of the Experiminta in Frankfurt am Main. In 2005 the phæno, a science center with an obviously similar name and concept, opened in Wolfsburg. Since 2016, the establishment of an Einstein Museum modelled on the Phänomenta in Ulm has apparently been under consideration. In recent years, Phänomentas have also been involved in introducing so-called Mini-Phänomentas, smaller Phänomentas at German and foreign schools, for example in Thailand. The individual Phänomenta exhibitions are financed primarily by the respective municipalities, as well as by volunteer support associations and local sponsors. Admission prices are staggered differently depending on the location.

• 2017

  Professor Lutz Fiesser received the Bundesverdienstkreuz am Bande for his pioneering work in science education.

• 2016

  Since 2016, an Einstein Museum modelled on the Phänomenta in Ulm has apparently been under consideration.

• 2012

  Two Phänomenta travelling exhibitions had toured German cities until 2012.

• 2007

  Flensburg Phänomenta, with Mathematikum Gießen, helped set up the first Experiminta exhibition in Frankfurt am Main.

• 2006

  A former Phänomenta was located in Suhl around 2006.

• 2005

  phæno, a science center with a similar name and concept, opened in Wolfsburg.

• 2000

  Phänomenta Peenemünde on the island of Usedom opened.

• 1998

  A Phänomenta opened in the historic town hall in Templin.

• 1996

  Phänomenta Lüdenscheid founded.

• 1980

  First Phänomenta created at the Pädagogische Hochschule in Flensburg in the 1980s.

Interactive science center network for families and all ages, focused on hands-on experimentation with natural science and technology.

• Große Feder (large spring)

• Spiegelflieger (mirror flyer)

• Seifenvorhang (soap curtain)

• Ball that rolls uphill

• Leverage experiment lifting a 700 kg Trabant 601 with one hand

• Optical illusions

1. 1PHÄNOMENTA – interaktive Ausstellungen zum Mitmachen und Ausprobierenphaenomenta.com
2. 2Phänomenta e.V. – Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Phänomenta – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org