30^th Oktober, 2008

“Science is for everybody”

Meschede. His magic cauldron is sizzling and smoking. With experiments, Joachim Hecker makes children fancy science. But adults, too, are frequently amazed because of him. You can book his “Heckers Hexenküche” shows. Hecker works as a science editor with the WDR and writes books for children. His new book, “House of the Little Explorers”, will come out in December.

1. How can you make children fancy science?

Children like it when something exciting happens. For example, lighting a banknote on fire. Experiments with fire generally go down well. But also when I make plastic granules snow. If they want to understand something, they have to experience it with all senses. In front of the computer, children experience everything only virtually – that's too little. They can't touch anything there.

2. How do you construct your experiments?

I often use things that children know from around the house. This way, they loose their respect for it since science is for everybody. For example, I show children that an egg can stand on its tip. To do this, you only have to put it on three grains of salt. After all, table doesn't fall over either if it only has three legs.

3. What can you learn from children?

The simple things. For children you have to explain complicated circumstances as simply as possible. As part of my work as a science editor, I meet many scientists. The truly great ones can explain complex relationships in a really simple manner.

Ilka Wiese spoke with Joachim Hecker