The school class was first welcomed by Edda Fischer, Head of Communications and Marketing, with an introduction to the MPL and some facts and figures about the institute. Dr Michael Frosz, Head of the Technology Development and Service Unit (TDSU) for fiber production and the glass studio, then gave a presentation in which he and the pupils explored the question: ‘Light transmission: best through glass or air?’

In the visitors' corridor of the clean room, the young people got to know the complex process steps for producing photonic crystal fibers with laboratory engineer Thomas Stelzer and felt the fine glass fibers glide through their hands, with which researchers conduct cutting-edge research in the laboratories. Dr Ralf Keding, Chemistry Officer at the Institute, also took a practical approach, demonstrating the steps involved in glass and metal processing at the melting furnace. The visit of the school class to the 3D printers with laboratory engineer Azim-Onur Yazici ended on a much cooler but no less interesting note.

The MPL regularly opens its doors to school and student groups, who are given an opportunity to learn about research through lectures and guided tours, thereby also fulfilling its educational mission in terms of science communication.