On May 10, 2025, the Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1644 "Phenotypic Plasticity in Plants" took part in the Potsdam Science Day with an interactive and engaging booth aimed at making plant research accessible to all age groups – especially children and young people.
At the heart of the presentation was the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Informative posters explained how plants adapt to environmental conditions such as cold and heat, how this leads to changes in leaf morphology, and what “phenotypic plasticity” means. Visitors also learned about the various Arabidopsis accessions, where they are found across the globe, and how they have adapted differently – visibly expressed in their phenotype.
One of the main attractions for young visitors was the hands-on LEGO® activity, where they were invited to build their own leaf model. These creations were then tested for size, weight, and stability and recorded using a spirograph. As a fun reward, children received a personalized certificate to take home.
Our junior research group leader, Dr. René Schneider, delivered a popular science talk using LEGO® to explain the secrets of plant adaptation in a fun and approachable way.
Another part of the booth focused on how genes and nutrients influence plant metabolism. Using a city as a metaphor for a cell – complete with roads, infrastructure, and transport systems – children could explore how cellular processes work. They then built small LEGO® cars designed to transport "cargo" quickly and efficiently through a course.
This concept was also featured in a presentation by the Bioinformatics group, who demonstrated how computer models are used to better understand plant metabolism. Their talk highlighted how CRC 1644 uses simulations and modeling to study phenotypic plasticity.
We thank everyone who participated and all visitors for their curiosity and enthusiasm.