Award for Innovative AI Learning Program
© Rafael Vinz / Barkhausen Institut
PRESS RELEASE
Barkhausen Institut and Dresden Municipal Libraries Recognized for Interdisciplinary Learning Program
The Learning Lab of the Barkhausen Institut and the Dresden Municipal Libraries have been awarded 3rd place in the "Schülerlabor+" category at the 2025 LeLa Award. Presented by LernortLabor – the German Association of Student Labs, this award honors innovative extracurricular education programs that blend traditional student lab topics with interdisciplinary themes.
Their joint program "Artificial Intelligence for Children" creatively combines literature and science. At the Dresden Central Library, an author reads from a children’s book about robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), sparking discussions with students from grades 4 to 6. The learning experience continues at the Learning Lab of the Barkhausen Institut, where students participate in the workshop “How Does AI Learn?” at the COSMO Science Forum. Here, children engage with AI interactively and experiment with how that technology works.
© Rafael Vinz / Barkhausen Institut
The jury praised the program’s engaging, child-friendly approach to explaining complex topics and highlighted the collaboration between science and public libraries as exemplary.
“This award underscores the importance of making emerging technologies accessible to young people. Through our Learning Lab, we offer playful access to research topics that will shape the future,” says Dr. Patricia Grünberg, Head of Science Communication, Administration, and Finance at the Barkhausen Institut.
About the LeLa Award
LernortLabor – the German Association of Student Labs represents extracurricular learning spaces across the German-speaking world, fostering hands-on STEM education. Each year, the association presents the LeLa Award at its annual conference, recognizing outstanding achievements in student labs and lab networks.
About the Learning Lab at the Barkhausen Institut
The Barkhausen Institut (BI) researches novel technologies to enhance the security and trustworthiness of networked electronic systems. Particular attention is paid to communicating research in an engaging way. Through its Learning Lab, the BI introduces children and young people to technical topics with interactive, playful experiences—both at the COSMO Science Forum and in schools.
About the Dresden Municipal Libraries
With 20 branches across the city, the Dresden Municipal Libraries are a key resource for knowledge, information, and cultural participation. A major focus is on promoting literacy from an early age, in close collaboration with daycare centers and schools throughout Dresden.
Press Contact
Annika Höritz
PR Manager, Barkhausen Institut
annika.hoeritz@barkhauseninstitut.org
+49 351 799916 24