Why does a ball fall downward? What forces are at work? How can an airplane fly? Anyone who has ever asked themselves such questions is exactly the right audience for the lecture series “Physics for Grandparents and Other Curious Minds.” Physicist and senior professor Dr. Dieter Meschede launched this format—unique in Germany—at the University of Bonn and has completed several seasons.
In recognition of his outstanding commitment to this innovative teaching concept, the senior professor at the University of Bonn has now been selected by the Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Foundation for a “Heraeus Senior Professorship.” The award was presented at the colloquium of the Physics and Astronomy Department at the University of Bonn by the foundation’s chairman, Prof. Jürgen Mlynek. Naturally, as a now two-time senior professor, Meschede did not miss the opportunity to demonstrate some of his unusual experiments there as well.
“The Heraeus Foundation is very highly regarded by me; without it, physics in Germany would be much poorer—in both senses of the word,” Meschede says happily. The foundation supports event formats that serve the scientific exchange of ideas—whether in schools, at universities, or for international partnerships.
Meschede is currently preparing the next “Physics for Grandparents” series, which will take place during the winter semester. The Heraeus Foundation supports its senior professor with 5,000 euros in in-kind funding annually—initially through 2029. Thanks to this funding, the physicist now sees additional opportunities for demonstration experiments, which in turn benefit the participants.
