Wolfsburg, 21 May 2026 – Lower Saxony’s Minister for Education and Deputy Minister-President Julia Willie Hamburg visited the phaeno Science Centre in Wolfsburg on Thursday. The occasion was the presentation of new educational formats, including the recently opened ‘Forum Kunststoff’ and the state-wide ‘Miniphänomenta’ project. She was accompanied by Member of the State Parliament Christian Schroeder.
During her tour of the new Forum and phaeno, the Minister tried out several interactive exhibits herself, including the plastics scanner and stations on “Absorption and Reflection”. “phaeno is a centre of education. It is constantly evolving, and that is important. It is a valuable institution,” emphasised Hamburg.
To mark its 20th anniversary, phaeno has opened a new interactive space called the “Forum”, located within the “Planet A” area. Covering around 500 square metres, this is now the centre’s largest themed area, where current social issues are explored.
“For 20 years, the phaeno Science Centre has offered a world of discovery that has never lost sight of its core mission, yet has always moved with the times. Here, children, young people and adults can experiment with curiosity whilst discovering topics that concern us today,” said Hamburg. With the Plastics Forum, phaeno is addressing a topic that shapes everyday life and touches on key questions for the future. The exhibition clearly illustrates the opportunities and challenges of plastics, the importance of effective recycling, and the role of responsible action.
The first forum theme, “Plastics”, developed in collaboration with Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences, combines an interactive exhibition with a future lab and participatory activity formats. Visitors can not only learn about the subject but also experiment for themselves and test their own solutions.
“phaeno is a place where you can experience and try out scientific phenomena first-hand. With the forum, we are creating additional space for discussion on the pressing issues of our time,” explained curator Alexandra Schautz.
In addition to its on-site activities, phaeno is also increasingly involved in educational work outside the centre. With “Miniphänomenta”, the Science Centre brings hands-on experiment stations directly to primary schools across Lower Saxony. The project has already been implemented in 40 schools.
The pupils explore scientific phenomena independently. Once the project is complete, 20 to 40 exhibits – built by the pupils, teachers and parents themselves – remain permanently at the schools and can continue to be used in lessons.
“Miniphänomenta offers children the opportunity to understand science through hands-on experimentation from an early age,” says Hamburg.
As part of its anniversary celebrations, phaeno has undergone a comprehensive modernisation. With twelve themed areas featuring around 50 new and 200 revamped exhibits, the Science Centre invites visitors to explore. In total, there are more than 300 phenomena on display, complemented by additional activities.
“We are an educational centre for everyone, which not only imparts knowledge but also brings it to life. Here, everyone gets actively involved and experiences their own ‘aha’ moments. In this way, we promote key future skills such as education and participation,” said Managing Director Jana Handrick.
Christian Schroeder, a member of the state parliament who has visited phaeno many times with his family, also highlighted the importance of phaeno: “phaeno is a wonderful place for families. It is constantly evolving – that’s why we love coming back here time and again. It keeps not only the children, but us too, curious.”
phaeno gGmbH, Willy-Brandt-Platz 1, 38440 Wolfsburg, Management: Michel Junge, Jana Handrick
Press contact: Andrea Behrens, telephone 05361 890 100, kommunikation@phaeno.de, www.phaeno.de/presse
