Our Decision Theatres are primarily designed for school students. However, as a format for science communication, we also offer events for the general public, for example at Futurium or the Natural History Museum, where we invite people to discuss with scientists and experiment with a mathematical model.
We also present our communication format on the radio, at conferences and other public events to provide insights to a wider audience. You can find a selection of our past events documented on this page.
Decision Theatres with school students
School students from year 10 onwards can take part in the Decision Theatres, which are usually held at the ZUSE Institute in Berlin. The school classes use mathematical models to create possible future scenarios, which they discuss and evaluate.
In addition to the Decision Theatre, teachers have the opportunity to book a mathematics and/or computer science workshop for their learning group, in which the students gain deeper insights into the mathematical model and take on the role of modellers. The following overview shows our previous events.
| Date | School | school year | no. of students | Additional Workshops |
| 30.03.2022 | Andreas-Gymnasium | 10 | 28 | Math |
| 29.06.2022 | Liebfrauen-Gymnasium | 11 | 15 | Math |
| 04.07.2022 | Saldern-Gymnasium | 11 | 10 | Math |
| 17.08.2022 | Sommeruni der FU Berlin | 11, 12 | 4 | Math & Computer Science |
| 12.10.2022 | Schulfarm Insel Scharfenberg | 11, 12 | 20 | Math |
| 20.10.2022 | Evangelische Johanniter Schule | 11 | 40 | Math & Computer Science |
| 16.03.2023 | Andreas-Gymnasium | 10 | 27 | Mathematik |
| 20.06.2023 | Werner-von-Siemens Schule | 10 | 9 | Math & Computer Science |
| 26.06.2023 | Königin-Luise-Stiftung | 11 | 13 | Math & Computer Science |
| 30.06.2023 | Eckener-Gymnasium | 10 | 24 | Computer Science |
| 10.07.2023 | Phorms Gymnasium | 10, 11 | 18 | Math & Computer Science |
| 23.11.2023 | Evangelische Johanniter Schule | 11 | 32 | Math & Computer Science |
Decision Theatres with university students
Students at Freie Universität Berlin had the opportunity to take part in the project seminar “Mathematical modelling in the discourse of social challenges”, which was linked to the Schule@DecisionTheatreLab project.
The role of the students in the Decision Theatre was diverse and developed over the course of the seminar. Initially, they acted as research objects by participating in a Decision Theatre themselves and their group activities were examined from a social science perspective. In the role of research subjects, the students subsequently reflected on the event and developed ideas for improvements focussing on expanding the possibilities for interaction and deepening the mathematical background. The elements developed were finally integrated into the Decision Theatre with pupils and implemented by the students themselves. In the role of a teachers they could gain experience and inspiration for their future teaching activities.
List of previous Decision Theatres with university students
|
Date |
Student profile |
Number of students |
| 25.01.2022 |
Teaching degree |
18 |
| 11.05.2022 |
Teaching degree |
16 |
| 07.02.2023 |
Teaching degree |
8 |
| 08.11.2023 |
Teaching degree |
16 |
| 13.12.2023 |
Mathematics degree |
16 |
Book Launch on Transfer Science
At MotionLab.Berlin
In an exhibition at MotionLab.Berlin visitors were able to explore interdisciplinary science communication projects on 14 October 2023. Art and sound installations invited visitors to interact. Our project also invited visitors to experiment interactively with a mathematical model to create future scenarios.
The day’s programme also included the presentation of the book “Transferwissenschaften: Mode oder Mehrwert?” (Transfer Science: Fashion or Added Value?), where a panel discussed transdisciplinarity, transfer and didactics. From our research project Sinah Gürtler, Christoph Lieben, Anina Mischau, Joshua Wiebe and Sarah Wolf contributed to the book. They explain the added value of transdisciplinary teaching and learning formats in mathematics based on the Decision Theatre Lab.
The book, which has been published in open access, is available here.
Communicating science with Experimental Labs
At FutureLab
In an era of rapid progress science communication is crucial for conveying complex scientific findings in an understandable way, thereby promoting social participation.
On 12 and 13 October 2023, the FutureLab offered innovative science communication formats a platform for exchange. Scientists and communicators were able to gain an interactive insight into the Schule@DecisionTheatreLab project in experimental labs and discuss together how the relevance of mathematical modelling for decision-making processes can be highlighted and communicated.
Training courses for teachers
At the symposium for UNESCO project schools in Germany on 27 and 28 September 2023, our project offered a workshop for teachers where they could try out the Decision Theatre Lab format on the topic of “Sustainable Mobility” for themselves and reflect on it for their learning groups.
The reality of mobility choices for pupils varies greatly across Germany: in the countryside, in small towns, in the centre of a big city or even on the outskirts of a big city – discussions about mobility always take place in the context of one’s own living conditions and existing mobility structures. Teachers have the opportunity to use the Decision Theatre as a tool to discuss the mobility of the future with their learning group. In doing so, the pupils can democratically arrive at joint mobility measures in the role of decision-makers.
For our project, the exchange with teachers was very fruitful in order to transform our extracurricular event format so that it can be integrated in schools with the help of teachers. Feedback and requests are incorporated into the first steps of developing learning materials for teachers.
Further training courses for teachers are planned for 2024.
On 12 and 13 October 2023, the FutureLab offered innovative science communication formats a platform for exchange. Scientists and communicators were able to gain an interactive insight into the Schule@DecisionTheatreLab project in experimental labs and discuss together how the relevance of mathematical modelling for decision-making processes can be highlighted and communicated.
We celebrate Mathematics!
At Humboldt Forum
What will future mobility look like? And how can mathematical models help to simulate future mobility developments?
At the Futurium – the House of Futures – a broad audience discussed the mobility of tomorrow in a Decision Theatre.
The Decision Theatre took place on 1 July 2022 as part of the “We celebrate mathematics” event organised by MATH+, where students, journalists and the general public were able to take part in various talks and activities.
