Our courses
Air Lab – Tracking the invisible
What does air consist of? How can it be created in an experiment? And does invisible air also need space? In this course, young visitors will discover the secrets behind the air that surrounds us.
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Fire & Flame (ages 5 to 7)
How does fire arise? Which part of a candle does actually burn? And how does a fire-extinguisher work? In this course participants can explore many fire trivia. Finally, they build their own fire-extinguisher and test if its working.
It is suitable for children age 5 to 7 years. It can be also be booked for age 8 to 10 years as well. We recommend not to mix this two age-groups as we approach them differently.
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Splash – Surface Tension and More!
Water skimmers running on top of the water's surface - do you know how that works? And how is it that soap bubbles become perfectly round? Get the answers to these questions and much more at our enthralling workshop on liquids.
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Summer Special (ages 5 to 7)
Salt, sun and sea! In this course, young visitors discover and investigate a summer day. How can you distinguish between salt and fresh water if you can't taste it? Why do we need sunscreen and how does it work? Finally, a cloud is made in our lab.
This course is a seasonal special and can only be booked in July and August!
Appointments for individual visitors and groups up to 5 people
| Date | From | To | Places | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 08/08/2025 | 10:30 | 12:00 | 0 | |
| Fri 08/08/2025 | 13:30 | 15:00 | 0 |
Cell Detectives
What do human cells look like? What about bacterial cells? What are cells made of and what functions do they have? Find the answers to these and more questions and build your own cell model.
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Summer Science Camp Mini
This course is our "mini" Summer Science Camp for younger kids (8 to 9 years). Pipettes, microscopes and accurate scales are used to explore different topics - from the density of apple juice to bees and honey. At the end of the course a fizzy tablet is used to start a rocket.
Note: At the end of the workshop, different honeys (propolis honey as well) and pollen can be tasted.
Dates and programme: For summer 2024, the dates will be announced from January 2024. There is no difference in content.
This course is a seasonal special and can only be booked in July and August! Kids should be able to write and should have finished the 2nd grade.
The course fee includes a snack and a beverage.
Be aware that this course is only offered in German.
!!! The booking option for the summer dates 2024 will be activated from January onwards !!!
Appointments for individual visitors and groups up to 5 people
| Date | From | To | Places | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 06/08/2025 | 10:00 | 14:30 | 0 | |
| Mon 11/08/2025 | 10:00 | 14:30 | 0 | |
| Tue 12/08/2025 | 10:00 | 14:30 | 0 | |
| Wed 13/08/2025 | 10:00 | 14:30 | 3 | Register |
| Thu 14/08/2025 | 10:00 | 14:30 | 9 | Register |
| Mon 18/08/2025 | 10:00 | 14:30 | 2 | Register |
| Thu 21/08/2025 | 10:00 | 14:30 | 3 | Register |
| Fri 22/08/2025 | 10:00 | 14:30 | 0 |
Summer Special (ages 8 to 9)
Salt, sun and sea! In this course, young visitors discover and investigate a summer day. How can you distinguish between salt and fresh water if you can't taste it? Why do we need sunscreen and how does it work? Finally, a cloud is made in our lab.
This course is a seasonal special and can only be booked in July and August!
What Makes You Unique?
Find out which traits you share with your parents, siblings or classmates. You can then visualize the genetic material of fruits and vegetables in a simple experiment and take the DNA home in your own folded cell box.
The courses "Why are you unique?", "DNA Detectives" and "DNA Atelier" cover the same topic adapted to different age groups.
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Fire & Flame (ages 8 to 10)
How does fire arise? Which part of a candle does actually burn? And how does a fire-extinguisher work? In this course participants can explore many fire trivia. Finally, they build their own fire-extinguisher and test if its working.
This course is suitable for children age 8 to 10 years. It can be also be booked for age 5 to 7 years as well. We recommend not to mix this two age-groups as we approach them differently.
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Soil Scientists – Get to the bottom of our ground
What is our soil made up of? Is it just brown? How much water can be absorbed? Can you form a ball from sand?
In this course, four different soil samples and their characteristics are investigated. At the end of the course, each participant will make his/her own soil profile.
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Summer Science Camp Junior
The Summer Science Camp Junior is our summer course for kids from 10 to 11 years. It lasts five days full of new facts and scientific experiments. Unfortunately, it is only available in German. For more information, switch to the German version of our website.
Kids should be able to write and should have finished the 4th grade.
Be aware that this course is only offered in German.
!!! The booking option for the summer dates 2024 will be activated from January onwards !!!
Appointments for individual visitors and groups up to 5 people
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Summer Science Camp Junior II25/08/2025 - 29/08/20250 Places
Date From To Mon 25/08/2025 09:00 15:00 Tue 26/08/2025 09:00 15:00 Wed 27/08/2025 09:00 15:00 Thu 28/08/2025 09:00 15:00 Fri 29/08/2025 09:00 15:00
DNA Detectives
What is DNA and where can it be found? Figure it out and isolate DNA from fruit and vegetables. Explore the genetic code and decipher a secret message!
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Two for the Price of one: the Secret of Milk Sugar
Did you know that milk contains sugar? This is the reason why some people and most cats can not drink regular milk. In this workshop, you will remove that sugar with the help of an enzyme also found in human cells.
At the end of the workshop, lactose-free and normal milk can also be tasted.
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Matter Matters – Mix, separate and recognize matter
In chemistry, matter matters. Everything in our environment is made out of it. In this course, you will Investigate unknown substances and identify them based on their characteristics. With this training, you can bring order into the big mishmash. The task is to separate a mixture of five substances. However, only the correct separation procedure – performed in the right order – will succeed.
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Supermodels at the Lab
Observe green, small, thin, round or small models. Not on the catwalk, but under the microscope. Investigate worms, flies, bacteria, yeast and tetrahymena and find out about their lives and their secrets!
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Summer Science Camp Fortgeschrittene
The Summer Science Camp Fortgeschrittene is our summer course for kids from 12 to 13 years. It lasts five days full of scientific information and experiments. Unfortunately, it is only available in German. For more information, switch to the German version of our website.
Appointments for individual visitors and groups up to 5 people
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Summer Science Camp Fortgeschrittene28/07/2025 - 01/08/20250 Places
Date From To Mon 28/07/2025 09:00 15:00 Tue 29/07/2025 09:00 15:00 Wed 30/07/2025 09:00 15:00 Thu 31/07/2025 09:00 15:00 Fri 01/08/2025 09:00 15:00
Summer Science Camp Routiniers (ausgebucht!)
The Summer Science Camp Routiniers is our summer course for kids from 14 to 15 years. It lasts five days full of scientific information and experiments. Unfortunately, it is only available in German. For more information, switch to the German version of our website.
Appointments for individual visitors and groups up to 5 people
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Summer Science Camp Routiniers14/07/2025 - 18/07/20250 Places
Date From To Mon 14/07/2025 09:30 15:30 Tue 15/07/2025 09:30 15:30 Wed 16/07/2025 09:30 15:30 Thu 17/07/2025 09:30 15:30 Fri 18/07/2025 09:30 15:30
DNA Studio
At DNA studio, you will isolate DNA from cheek cells (which are found in saliva). You will also stain your cheek cells and examine them under the microscope.
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Lab4Future
Where do climate change and greenhouse gases come from and why do they pollute our environment? These and other questions will be answered in this course. Participants will conduct experiments in the laboratory with carbon dioxide, one of the most important greenhouse gases, and learn about the effects of high carbon dioxide concentrations on the environment. Finally, we work out together what everyone can do to protect the climate.
For teachers: To prepare your students for this topic, we recommend going through the pH value and how a pH indicator works in class.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Vitamin cocktail: Shaken and titrated
Did you ever wonder if freshly squeezed oranges really contain more vitamin C than a carton juice? Or do vitamin pills really include the substances as promised on the packaging?
You will shake and titrate different vitamin ‘cocktails’ and even use UV light to detect vitamin B1, B2 and C. So this course does not only cover your daily requirement of vitamin knowledge, it will also provide insights into analytical methods used in the lab.
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Summer Science Camp Profi
The Summer Science Camp Profi is our summer course for visitors from 16 to 20 years. It lasts five days full of new facts and scientific experiments. Unfortunately, it is only available in German. For more information, switch to the German version of our website.
Appointments for individual visitors and groups up to 5 people
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Summer Science Camp Profis25/08/2025 - 29/08/20254 Places
Date From To Mon 25/08/2025 10:00 16:00 Tue 26/08/2025 10:00 16:00 Wed 27/08/2025 10:00 16:00 Thu 28/08/2025 10:00 16:00 Fri 29/08/2025 10:00 16:00
Cut the Gene: Die Genschere CRISPR/Cas9 (2-teilig) - nur für Schulklassen!
In this two-day workshop, participants will learn how to edit genomes using CRISPR/Cas9. In this specific case, the participants have the task of switching off the lacZ gene in the bacterium E. coli. On the first day of the workshop, the students introduce the components of the CRISPR system into the bacteria by transformation. By the second day, the colonies grow and the students can evaluate the results also via colony PCR. In addition to the actual CRISPR method, sterile work and the methodology of PCR are also part of this workshop. The "gene scissors" method, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in October 2020, is considered a revolution in genetic engineering.
The duration of the individual parts of the course may vary and is depending on the size of the group and the skill of the students, but should in no case exceed by the maximum given time.
Duration Day 1: 4.5 - 5 hrs.
Duration day 2: 3.5 hrs.
Prerequisites:
7th/8th grade AHS or 4th/5th grade BHS
Maximum 16 students (optional subject, NAWI group)
Prior knowledge of genetics required (DNA structure, transcription, translation, possibly theory of PCR, ...)
The course can only be booked for school classes (1 place = 1 class of max. 16 pupils) for the block indicated.
Please indicate the number of students and your school in the message field when booking.
Be aware that this course is only offered in German.
Appointments for individual visitors and groups up to 5 people
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CRISPR Block 1 │ Tue und Thu afternoon10/02/2026 - 12/02/20261 Places
Date From To Tue 10/02/2026 13:00 18:00 Thu 12/02/2026 13:00 16:30 -
CRISPR Block 2 │ Wed und Fri morning11/02/2026 - 13/02/20261 Places
Date From To Wed 11/02/2026 09:00 14:00 Fri 13/02/2026 09:00 12:30 -
CRISPR Block 3 │ Mon und Wed morning16/02/2026 - 18/02/20261 Places
Date From To Mon 16/02/2026 09:00 14:00 Wed 18/02/2026 09:00 12:30 -
CRISPR Block 4 │ Tue und Thu morning17/02/2026 - 19/02/20260 Places
Date From To Tue 17/02/2026 09:00 14:00 Thu 19/02/2026 09:00 12:30 -
CRISPR Block 5 │ Tue und Thu afternoon17/02/2026 - 19/02/20261 Places
Date From To Tue 17/02/2026 13:00 18:00 Thu 19/02/2026 13:00 16:30
DNA Duplicator
This workshop revolves around polymerase chain reaction (PCR), one of the most important techniques used in modern molecular biology labs - its developers even earned a Nobel Prize! PCR is applied at DNA paternity tests, in order to diagnose diseases and has many more applications. Learn about different applications of this method and copy a plant gene by yourself!
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Appointments for individual visitors and groups up to 5 people
| Date | From | To | Places | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu 24/07/2025 | 17:00 | 20:00 | 0 | |
| Thu 16/04/2026 | 17:30 | 20:30 | 20 | Register |
Plasmid Match
What are plasmids and how are they used for genetic engineering? At the end of this workshop, you will be able to answer these questions. Work with molecular scissors to cut DNA and analyze the results using gel electrophoresis!
Basics: see also "Genetic Engineering: Methods" (in German language)
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Appointments for individual visitors and groups up to 5 people
| Date | From | To | Places | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue 14/10/2025 | 17:00 | 20:00 | 15 | Register |
Caffeine. What else?
How do stimulating substances like caffeine affect the human body? What is caffeine chemically speaking? Where and in what quantities may it be present in food? In this course, you get to the bottom of the matter and take a closer look at the contents of energy drink, tea and coffee bean. Just like in a real analytical lab, you extract caffeine from food samples, produce your own caffeine standard series, and determine the caffeine content of your sample in the UV / VIS photometer.
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for individual visitors and groups up to 5 people
| Date | From | To | Places | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed 22/10/2025 | 17:00 | 20:30 | 18 | Register |
Detecting GM Foods
In this workshop the participants slip into the role of a Federal Food Testing Agent trying to detect genetic modifications in food. In order to do so, DNA from different food samples will be isolated and analyzed via PCR.
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Appointments for individual visitors and groups up to 5 people
There are currently no courses available.
From Dusk Till Dawn – Chronobiology
A good night's sleep recovers body and mind - that's why most people spend about a third of their lifetime sleeping. But, exactly how much sleep do you need? What time in the evening will you likely be tired?
This workshop includes restriction digest, PCR and gel electrophoresis.
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Appointments for individual visitors and groups up to 5 people
There are currently no courses available.
Genetic Fingerprint
Act like a forensic scientist! You will be generating a genetic fingerprint out of DNA traces found at the site of a spectacular theft crime. Use DNA from different suspects to do so, employing polymerase chain reaction and gene chip analysis. In the end, it will be up to you to compare the suspects' DNA patterns with the DNA traces found at the crime scene and identify the criminal.
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Appointments for individual visitors and groups up to 5 people
| Date | From | To | Places | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 27/10/2025 | 17:00 | 21:30 | 10 | Register |
Going Nuts
In Western civilizations, allergies have increased dramatically during the past decade: One out of five persons is allergic to certain foods or food ingredients.
But what does suffering from allergy mean? What happens inside the body during an allergic shock?
This workshop investigates the human immune system and the complex and interrelated processes controlling it. Detect traces of highly allergenic peanut-proteins in different foods! Isolate and analyze DNA employing PCR and gel electrophoresis!
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Appointments for individual visitors and groups up to 5 people
There are currently no courses available.
Test Your Taste
Find out why some people enjoy broccoli, while others can't stand it! During this workshop, you will investigate a human taste receptor gene for tasting certain bitter substances.
Due to variation - in other words, a single nucleotide difference - some people are unable to taste phenylthiourea (also called PTC).
Participants will score their own genotype and try to predict their tasting ability. Class results will show how well PTC tasting fits classical Mendelian genetics, and illustrate the modern concept of pharmacogenetics - where comparable genotypes are used to predict drug response.
Be aware that courses with appointments for individual visitors are only offered in German.
Appointments for groups
Groups with 8 or more people can choose an appointment (subject to availablity).
To the registration form for groups
Appointments for individual visitors and groups up to 5 people
There are currently no courses available.
3. Zellen sind Trumpf! – Unterrichtsaktivitäten zur Zellbiologie
To support teachers in adopting inquiry-based strategies in their teaching, the Vienna Open Lab offers special trainings with ideas and practical tipps on how to keep science lessons equally varied and interesting. Our teacher trainings are aimed at teacher from elementary to secondary level and cover no only diverse research topics in life sciences but show experiments easily transferable to the classroom as well. Teacher trainings are all held in German, so please switch to the German version of the page to get a detailed description of the courses we offer for educators.
4. Mission Verdauung – Enzyme experimentell erkunden
Teacher trainings are all held in German, so please switch to the German version of the page to get a detailed description of this course.
