School Outreach and Student Groups
Information on planning a visit to the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology
The Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology welcomes school classes, university courses and student groups interested in gaining an insight into current research in evolutionary biology. A visit to the institute can be a valuable addition to school lessons, specialist courses or university seminars.
To ensure that each visit is well prepared and tailored as closely as possible to the interests of the group, we kindly ask you to contact us well in advance.
Planning a Visit to the Institute
Visits by school classes or student groups are generally possible by prior arrangement. As suitable programme elements, rooms and participating researchers need to be coordinated, we require at least three months’ notice.
Please note that visits are not possible at all times or in every requested format. Whether a visit can be arranged depends, among other things, on the availability of the relevant research groups, ongoing projects, internal schedules and room capacities.
Information We Need
To help us assess your request and develop a suitable programme, please provide the following information as early as possible:
- name of the school, university or institution
- preferred date or possible time frame (at least three months’ notice)
- group size, including teachers, accompanying staff or lecturers
- age group, school year or level of study
- academic or subject background of the group, for example advanced biology course, science profile, university seminar or student group
- specific interests of the group
- interest in a particular research group or research topic at the institute
- preferred language of the visit, for example German or English
- any relevant organisational information, such as accessibility requirements, time frame or travel arrangements
Possible Content of a Visit
Depending on the request and availability, visits may focus on different aspects. Possible elements include:
- a general introduction to the institute and its research
- insights into selected topics in evolutionary biology
- conversations with researchers
- talks with Q&A sessions
- information about scientific career paths
- insights into research methods and scientific work
The exact programme is agreed individually. We will do our best to match the interests of the group with what is possible at the institute.
Important Information
Please understand that visits to the institute are only possible following a confirmed request with at least three months’ notice. For reasons of safety, organisation and ongoing research, not all areas of the institute can be visited. Laboratory visits or access to specific research areas are only possible to a limited extent and must be discussed in advance.
Teachers, lecturers or accompanying staff remain responsible for supervising their group during the visit.