Grade 1 spent a day at the Technoseum in Mannheim. They first learned about paper-making: mixing pulp in a vat of water, straining the fibers out of the water with a special sieve, flipping the strained material onto a mat, and finally pressing the water out of the mat.

Each student got to take part in each step of the process. They then hopped on a “train ride through time” and discussed how an old-fashioned steam locomotive is different than the trams we rode to reach the museum. They looked at more “old things” and talked about how houses, cars, and even bathrooms have changed over time, then headed outside and played under the beautiful fall leaves!

photos & text: TC

On Tuesday 13th October, Grade 9 visited the HD Zementwork Quarry in Nussloch.  They were taken on a guided tour of the quarry with the focus on environmental redevelopment of the quarry once mining is complete.

“At the Heidelberg Cement quarry, we had the opportunity to learn about how they do their work but are still aware of the environment and try to preserve it. It was interesting to see how much Heidelberg cement does to protect the environment.” (Grade 9 student)

These small muddy puddles are important ecosystems for toads and frogs only found in this area.

This stripe of land is barren because of the high content in poisonous metals in the soil. That was caused by ancient mining, not today’s.

These wooden tables are bee hotels meant to provide a home to the larvae of many solitary bees in the area. The adult bee makes a hole in the wood and lays an egg inside. The hole is also filled up with food for the larva. When the larva grows into an adult it leaves the bee hotel.

The bunker was used to store explosives. Nowadays it is almost empty. We learned that not so long back in the past, these places were very much watched because they stored large amounts of explosives.

This cliff is the result of mining, not natural action. However, such a wall became a habitat for some birds, which need to build their nests in cliffs.

Many thanks to Heidelberg Cement for the guided tour through the Nussloch Quarry.

Student comments:

“It was very interesting to learn about the impact mining had on the environment.”

“I found the biologists explanations of how the company protects the environment surrounding extremely interesting.”

“The guide showed us that the things that look common can be very rare.”

“I liked experiencing standing by the explosives bunker because it was very interesting to know that it was used so long back in history and I was able to be there.”

“The trip was very interesting, we learnt a lot.”

“I like that we stood on land that used to be a quarry and saw some traces of the quarry and how nature has taken its course.”

photos & text: LQ, SAB, Grade 9