Slots: 13
Completion within: 9 months
Hours per week: 4h
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Tilman Sauer, María de Lourdes Ortega Méndez
Location: Campus Mainz and Deutsches Museum Munich
Primary language: German
Degree programs: Applied Physics B.Sc., BMC B.Sc., Biology B.Ed., Biology B.Sc., Chemistry B.Ed., Chemistry B.Sc., Geography B.Ed., Geography B.Sc., Geosciences B.Sc., Computer Science B.Ed., Computer Science B.Sc, Mathematics B.Ed., Mathematics B.Sc., Mathematics-Computer Science B.Sc., Meteorology B.Sc., Molecular Biology B.Sc., Molecular Biotechnology B.Sc., Physics B.Ed., Physics B.Sc., Pharmaceutical Sciences state examination, Environmental Sciences B.Sc.
The project is dedicated to researching mathematical instruments from the collection of the Deutsches Museum in Munich. The focus is primarily on analog calculating instruments and early analog computers. The students examine these objects in their material, historical and technological dimensions. The aim is to develop new perspectives on these instruments and to present the results to the public in a way that is effective in terms of contemporary science communication – for example for future presentation in exhibitions.
The students choose an object from a pre-selection, formulate their own research question and carry out archive and object analyses on site at the Deutsches Museum. They present their findings in a lecture and in written formats such as blog posts or object profiles. A joint three-day research stay in Munich is part of the project and is expected to take place in calendar week 11 of 2026.
An interest in the history of science, technology or collections and in science communication is expected. Museum experience is not required. Basic knowledge of scientific work is helpful. Accompanying seminars at JGU provide theoretical and methodological foundations. The seminar dates will follow (probably Nov. 14, Nov. 28, Jan. 16 from 2 to 6 p.m.).
The accommodation costs for the excursion to the Deutsches Museum will be fully covered by the research group.
