On July 1, 14 schoolchildren from Tübingen and the surrounding area had the opportunity to try out for themselves how scientists identify plants that existed thousands of years ago as part of the Children's University Research Day 2023. The focus was on charcoal and pollen, as found in sediment samples from archaeological excavations, such as those of the UmWeltWandel Project in the Sultanate of Oman. After a short introduction, the children were able to look at four specimens from each of the two object groups under the microscope and assign to close-ups on the wall. After the correct identification, they could put stickers with the close-ups in a booklet, which they were allowed to take home.
In addition, a comic strip was discussed with the children, which was created as part of the UmWeltWandel project and explains in a vivid way the natural environmental changes in Oman 10,000 to 3,000 years ago and the resultant adaptations of humans.
In the final discussion, the difference between natural and modern, man-made environmental changes was discussed, in which the children participated very actively and derived, for example, questions about how the climate and environment will develop in the future and what influence this will have on the lives of future generations.
