KinderUni OÖ students present:

Girls at the rocket launch

Female students aged 7 to 9 report on their adventures in the KinderUni Linz experimental laboratory: together with JKU scientist Robert Zillich, the young researchers build their own rocket engines from old plastic bottles, which are fuelled with water and compressed air. Add to this a chassis in which cucumber jar lids are also used and a rocket car is ready to go!

The girls demonstrate the research results on the influence of fuel quantity (water) and air pressure in a final car race. Because these factors determine how fast and far the rocket cars whizz. If you want to know how the recoil principle works in practice and what cool things you can build from rubbish, join us!

From the University College of Teacher Education of the Diocese of Linz, Prof. Dr. Thomas Schöftner, MSc. BEd. Dipl.-Päd.:

‘Digital Natives’ in the age of AI.

Attitudes and experiences of secondary school pupils towards artificial intelligence.

The current study with 547 secondary school students aged 10 to 14 years examines the attitudes, usage behaviour and experiences of young people in dealing with artificial intelligence. Initial findings show a mostly positive attitude towards AI, frequent use of ChatGPT and Snapchat AI and significant differences depending on the school level. Qualitative answers illustrate a tension between curiosity, benefits and critical reflection among students.

From the Johannes Kepler University presents Assoz. Univ.-Prof.in DIin Dr.in Ingrid Graz with her son:

Soft robots - inspired by nature

In nature, there are many soft structures - muscles, elephant trunks, octopus arms, skin - that enable complex movements in an impressive way. They are flexible, elastic and extremely adaptable. Conventional robots, on the other hand, are usually made of hard materials such as metal or plastic. They are precise, but often immobile, unyielding - and unsuitable for sensitive tasks such as gripping a raw egg.

Soft robots take a new approach: they are made of soft materials such as rubber or special gels that allow them to move gently and smoothly - almost like a living being. This allows them to adapt better to their environment, interact safely with humans and often consume less energy in the process. My field of research deals precisely with this exciting combination of biology and technology - with robots that can feel, grasp and act like their natural counterparts.

From FHOÖ Campus Hagenberg presents FH-Prof. PD DI Dr. Stephan Winkler:

Evolution and Artificial Intelligence

What we can learn from nature in computer science

Evolutionary algorithms are programs whose procedures are ‘copied’ from natural evolution and can be used to optimise a wide variety of processes. Especially for complex optimisation problems, such as in industrial and logistics processes or in the analysis of large amounts of data, the use of artificial intelligence is a logical step.

The problem here, however, is the opaque ‘black box’, where it is almost impossible to understand how the software arrives at the result and there are hardly any control options. Are evolutionary algorithms a possible approach here to enable explainable artificial intelligence (Explainable AI)?

Antonia Radlmair, Valentina Bleckenwegner and Branko Andic from Johannes Kepler University present:

Use of chatbots in teaching

Data manipulation - opportunities and risks

In this presentation, the newly founded Centre for University Didactics at the Johannes Kepler University Linz presents the possibilities and effects of data manipulation when using chatbots.

A particular focus is on how open chatbots can influence the learning process and the cognitive development of students as well as on the identification of potential opportunities and risks in the educational context. The need to promote the digital competence of teachers and students in order to be able to critically evaluate information from AI systems is also addressed.

From the FHOÖ Campus Wels Julia Weyermayr BSc. (Bizup), Nayrana Daborer-Prado MSc. (FHOÖ), Dipl. Ing.in Gayaneh Issayan (FHOÖ):

BioH₂Region

Financed by the EU within the framework of Interreg Bavaria-Austria and co-financed by the province of Upper Austria

Biogas is a renewable energy source with great potential in rural areas. It is produced through the fermentation of organic materials such as liquid manure, biowaste or energy crops and can be used to generate electricity and heat. It can also be fed into the natural gas grid as biomethane. It is climate-friendly, can be produced regionally and can be used in a variety of ways - both in industry and in households.

Technically speaking, biogas mainly consists of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). The latter can either be captured and stored or converted into methane using clever processes and materials. This makes biogas even more efficient and climate-friendly.

DI Dominik Kreil, BSc and Erwin K. Reichel from Scientists for Future present:

Operation HyEisenberg

A light comes on for two fossils while the light goes out. A bizarre story about climate-neutral steel extraction, with hydrogen, suspense and a well-aimed shot into the furnace.

From the Johannes Kepler University presents Mag.a Romana Dorfer:

(Professional) biographies of teachers

In the topic area ‘Potentials of non-subject teaching and which practices work’, Romana Dorfer talks about the biographies of teachers and which strategies can be used in non-subject teaching.

From the University of Art and Design Linz presents Univ.-Prof. Mag.art. Mario Zeppetzauer with students:

Seat-Love-Object

Development of several seating objects for the Spallerhof on behalf of WAG.

From the Johannes Kepler University presentsNina Brandl, MA:

Quantum effects entanglement and teleportation

Nina Brandl uses her Master's thesis to explain the quantum effects of entanglement and teleportation as graphically as possible. She also shows how we can use such effects to do things ‘better’ than classical computers.