November Highlights: Night and Research Day

Night of Science – Friday, 14.11.2025

Location: Campus Alfons‑Goppel‑Platz 1, 95028 Hof • Time: 18:00–00:00 • Admission: free

The campus transforms into a science festival – with more than 100 interactive offerings: live experiments, lectures and science formats, interactive stations on robotics and AI, plus a researcher rally for children. Food and music are provided on site. Ideal for experiencing many topics in a short time – from laboratory gloves to drones.

Children’s University Research Day – Day of Repentance and Prayer, Wednesday, 19.11.2025

Target group: 8–12 years old • Times: Start 9:30 am (foyer, building B); end approx. 3:30 pm

In supervised groups, the children go through five stations/workshops: circular economy, plastics processing, 3D printing/CNC, digital learning, environmental impact of sheep's wool. There’s pizza at lunch – and a researcher award at the end. For 2025, a maximum of 100 slots were planned; Status: fully booked.

Slot capacity classification: Older, general overviews sometimes listed 60 slots and four workshops. However, for 2025, the current announcement confirms 100 slots and five thematic stations – the current organizer's information is decisive.

Program: Hands-on, Workshops, 3D Printing, Robotics

Science is not only explained here – it is tried out. The program focuses on hands-on stations, understandable workshops and direct exchanges with researchers. This way, children and adults connect theory with practice.

• Circular economy: From the recycling principle to material analysis – how old becomes new again.
• Plastics processing: What properties do plastics have? What makes a cup stable? Practical experiments provide answers.
• 3D printing/CNC: From digital model to physical form: additive processes, understanding machines, making components. Also listed as “3D printing.”
• Digital learning: Tools that convey knowledge in a playful way – from learning apps to simulation.
• Sheep's wool & environment: A surprising raw material: insulation, closed loops, sustainability.
• Robotics & AI: Sensors, algorithms, autonomous movement – how robots understand their environment.

At the night event, the hands-on formats are especially closely scheduled: short slots, many stations, flexible routes. During the research day, participants experience a guided tour through all topics – including a pizza lunch break, supervised groups, and certificate. Together, this creates a strong mix of depth and breadth.

For Children, Families, City and Campus

Why is visiting worthwhile – beyond the fun of trying things out? Educational experiences strengthen the urban community. Children open up future fields like robotics or 3D printing, parents gain insights into modern learning paths, teachers get inspiration for the classroom.

For the campus, the format is both a bridge and a showcase: regional companies, schools and initiatives engage in dialogue with young talents. By talking to exhibitors, career profiles can be explored that often remain abstract in classic information evenings.

Representative surveys in Germany have been showing for years that clear, dialogue-oriented formats promote understanding of research – exactly the approach the two November events take.

Planning: Registration, Arrival, Accessibility

Registration & slots: For the Children's University in 2025: fully booked. Demand is high – for future editions, early registration is recommended. The Night of Science is accessible without a ticket and with free admission. Some program items may have limited capacity – please arrive in good time.

Times & meeting points: Research day: 19.11.2025, 9:30–approx. 15:30, foyer of building B. Night: 14.11.2025, 18:00–00:00, Campus Alfons‑Goppel‑Platz 1, 95028 Hof.

Arrival: For the night, plan time for finding a parking space or using public transport. Bicycles are a good alternative; bike racks are usually nearby. Accessible entrances are signposted on site.

With children: Mark 3–4 preferred stations on the map as fixed points. Add spontaneous stops if an exhibit arouses curiosity – this keeps the evening relaxed. On research day the groups are supervised; a water bottle and comfortable clothing are helpful when things get busy at the hands-on tables.

Safety & well-being: Near labs, supervision staff instructions apply (e.g. safety goggles, distance lines). If it’s crowded, simply switch to another workshop station – there is plenty of choice.

Voices from the Campus (Google Reviews)

The atmosphere and infrastructure on campus are regularly highlighted positively in public reviews. Excerpts:

“Peaceful atmosphere around the entire campus... The campus is well-equipped with modern facilities that create a conducive learning environment.”

Source: Google Maps, Hof University of Applied Sciences (accessed 2025-11-13)

“Hof University is an exceptional institution that offers top-notch education and resources to its students.”

Source: Google Maps, Hof University of Applied Sciences (accessed 2025-11-13)

“Very modern infrastructure and good study programs.”

Source: Google Maps, Hof University of Applied Sciences (accessed 2025-11-13)

Reviews are subjective and may change; you can find full entries and further reviews directly on Google Maps.

Fact Check: What Applies in 2025

• Children's University Research Day: Target age 8–12 years; 19.11.2025; 9:30–approx. 15:30; five stations/workshops; topics: circular economy, plastics processing, 3D printing/CNC, digital learning, sheep's wool & environment; lunch pizza; max. 100 slots; fully booked.
• Night of Science: 14.11.2025; 18:00–00:00; free entry; 100+ interactive offerings; live experiments, lectures/science formats; stations on robotics/AI; family program including researcher rally; food, music; location: Campus Alfons‑Goppel‑Platz 1, 95028 Hof.

Note on sources: An older, nationwide overview described the Children's University in more general terms with 60 slots and four workshops. For 2025, the current organizer's announcement with 100 slots and five stations is decisive.

Outlook: Trends in Science Education

• More interactivity: Exhibitions become hands-on – short, modular workshops, clear learning outcomes, low entry barriers. Children in particular respond positively to immediate successes.
• Digital workbenches: 3D printing, CNC, microcontrollers and simulations are becoming standard. Makerspace elements enable prototypes in minutes – understanding from material to code.
• AI & Robotics: Everyday applications take center stage – from path planning for small robots to image recognition and household assistance systems.

For the city, this means: science festivals are becoming places to try the future – not just watch it. The campus remains the stage where research, education, and urban society come together.

Practical Tips for Your Visit

• Plan time blocks: 2–3 thematic blocks – e.g. robotics, 3D printing, nature & environment – help keep track.
• Questions welcomed: Many stations thrive on dialogue. Children's questions often open up the best explanations.
• Document: Photos of your own experiments (where allowed) help you retell what you’ve learned – perfect for school and family.
• Think sustainably: Reusable water bottle, short routes, sorting waste – small gestures, big impact.

Status: editorial review November 2025. No guarantee; program and times may change at short notice.

And the solution promised at the beginning? The pizza belongs to research day – as a joint break in the middle of experiment fever. And the sheep's wool shows how an apparently simple natural material can become a surprisingly sustainable building block for research. This is exactly what Hof’s sciences stand for: knowledge you can touch.

Sources & Further Links

1. Hof University – Official Website — Event announcements and campus information (accessed 2025-11-13)
2. Google Maps: Hof University of Applied Sciences — Location, reviews (accessed 2025-11-13)
3. Wissenschaft im Dialog: Science Barometer — Representative survey on attitudes towards science in Germany (accessed 2025-11-13)