What does a scientist’s working day look like? How do you become a physicist? What does basic research actually mean? What role do female mechanics, laboratory engineers and IT specialists play in research? And what does physics have to do with medicine? The ten to 18-year-old schoolgirls will get answers to all these and more questions on Girls’ Day at MPL and MPZPM.

Girls’ Day is more than just an orientation day – it is a valuable opportunity to interest girls in scientific and technical careers. After all, diversity in research is the key to innovation and progress. Encouraging girls to explore these fields is an important step towards increasing the proportion of women in science and technology. The aim is to break down prejudices and spark curiosity through practical experiences, experiments and direct contact with female researchers.

An exciting program awaits the female students: they will delve into basic research, experience the daily routine of female researchers up close and discover the many applications of the physics of light. They will learn about the important role that physics plays in the life sciences. What happens in our workshops, in building technology and IT? And why are girls and women in demand here, exactly? To conduct cutting-edge research, many gears must interlock successfully. This involves a wide range of different occupations, which our young guests can get to know on Girls’ Day. The focus is on experiments and trying things out for themselves.

“I want to show young girls that we can do research just as analytically, creatively, and innovatively as our male colleagues. Science thrives on diversity, and there is no reason why women shouldn’t be just as successful in this field,” says Dr. Cornelia Holler, a postdoc in the ›Nanooptics‹ division headed by director Prof. Vahid Sandoghdar. She is participating in Girls’ Day by providing insights into her research lab.

Girls' Day is a nationwide career orientation day for girls. On this day, girls meet role models and learn about occupations or fields of study in which the proportion of women is below 40 percent.