The Children’s University of Zurich (Kids-UZH) accompanies interested young school students as they explore the world and search for explanations. With playful insights into university research and interactions with teaching staff, the children’s appetite for learning is whetted.
For 15 years now, children in the 3rd to 6th grades of primary school have been able to attend lectures and workshops at Kids-UZH free of charge, and get to know the University of Zurich as an educational institution. Participation is independent of the children’s school performance and free of learning assessments. Around 700 children take part in the program each semester.
The Children’s University of Zurich makes particular efforts to reach schoolchildren from all social classes. Different socio-economic backgrounds can mean children do not all receive the same educational opportunities. Early integration into an inspiring environment can positively influence their development.
Equally, the participating children are encouraged to explore their talents at an early age through the Kids-UZH program.
Kids-UZH takes various measures to reach socially disadvantaged children and facilitate their access to the university. As part of the recent “Kids-UZH on Tour” initiative, UZH teaching staff take their research into schools with a high proportion of educationally disadvantaged children, and make them aware of the Kids-UZH program. “The aim is to reach more children from educationally disadvantaged families and show them how exciting research at a university can be,” says Sibylle Leuthold, head of Kids-UZH. The first event took place in 2020 with a school class in Altstetten. The program will now be steadily expanded.
"It is our goal to get children excited about science, to encourage them to think for themselves, and at the same time to awaken curiosity about the institution of the university and its possibilities. With your contribution, we can make that possible."
Prof. Dr. Moritz Daum, Professor of Developmental Psychology, University of Zurich
We want all interested children to continue to have access to the Kids-UZH in the future. As the Children’s University of Zurich is a third-party funded institution, it remains dependent on support from foundations and private individuals. Help us to ensure that UZH can continue to support interested children and foster their talents.
