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Bucher Porträts
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Dr. Ulrich Scheller
Head of the Life Sciences Learning Laboratory
Telling people that science can be fun
Sometimes an idea and an opportunity come together and they fit like a key in a lock. In 1996 a biochemist, Dr. Ulrich Scheller, at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) wondered what it would be like, to stop his own research and inspire young people about the wonders of Nature and the sciences?
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At that same time an idea had been developed in the MDC which involved setting up a laboratory for the general pubic. This would give visitors information about the work carried out by genetics researchers and they could even perform simple experiments themselves. When the teacher’s son learnt about the idea he immediately knew: that project’s for me!
However, that was the only thing that was clear. This was because the start of the Life Sciences Learning Laboratory was surrounded by lots of question marks. Until then, laboratories for the general public were only for large pharmaceutical companies who wanted to show themselves in a good light. „Our laboratory should be completely different“, announced the 39-year-old. „We wanted to show young people that research can be exciting and give them an idea of what the everyday life of scientists involves.“ There were not many examples of this, and most of these were in the USA.
So, Dr. Scheller and the team he had then had to set about answering most of the questions themselves. What sort of experiments are suitable? What sort of equipment should the laboratory have? How will it develop in the long-term? Dr. Scheller started on a learning curve: project management, dealing with the general public, team-leading, organizing exhibitions – things that he had no experience of in his life as a scientist. However, he also received help from the development and training schemes of the European Social Fund, which provided financial support for the staff. The self-taught manager was fired with enthusiasm although there were also times when he wanted to bang his head against a wall. This was a time when he learned that things do not always go to plan, especially when money is tight.
 It took a year and a half for the conversion of a protected historic building by the campus operating company to establish the Life Sciences Learning Laboratory – with a genetics laboratory and exhibition rooms. During that period, Dr. Scheller developed, in conjunction with committed teachers four experiments for pupils, which are still part of the current program. Even before the first school classes arrived at the Life Science Learning Laboratory in May 1999, the courses were fully booked weeks in advance.
This success has continued. Today, after five years, the Life Sciences Learning Laboratory has become an integral part of the Berlin landscape. Courses for journalists, those completing the „abitur“ and qualified employees have been added. In addition to the hereditary material, DNA, pupils can now also investigate cells and organisms found on the floor of the nearby forest. Also, the Life Sciences Learning Laboratory is always prepared to expand its activities. To no small extent, this is thanks to its charismatic head, who has no wish to rest on his laurels. For him, the job is a vocation.
What is it that drives him? „It is the enthusiasm in the eyes of the school children after they have completed a successful experiment. The enthusiasm of my course leaders, all of them young scientists, for communicating with the general public. The motivation and wealth of ideas that my team continually apply to problems“, he says. Also, one should not forget the full support of the campus with its institutes, commercial companies and clinics.
His own four children, the youngest of whom is just eight weeks old, also profit from having a father who is so enthusiastic about science. Where do the children celebrate their birthdays? In the Life Sciences Learning Laboratory.
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At this site you will find portraits of Buch's citizens and institutions that we think you will be interested in. New ones will be dispalyed each month.
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