Discovering science through play: Juliane Stark brings research to kindergarten - an inspiring start to the OeAD initiative.

Assoc. Prof. Juliane Stark from the Institute for Transport Studies at BOKU was one of the first science ambassadors to visit a kindergarten as part of the expanded OeAD initiative. During the initiative's kick-off event at the kindergarten in Obere Augartenstraße in Vienna, she captivated the children with her passion for science and research.

"In my experience, even the youngest children ask the biggest questions – and that's exactly what science thrives on. It's important to me to spark joy in discovery at an early age," said Juliane Stark, who has been actively involved as a science ambassador for five years.

The Science Ambassadors initiative, funded by the Federal Ministry for Women, Science, and Research, enables researchers to share their enthusiasm for science and research with children – now also in kindergartens and after-school care centers across Austria.

Special thanks go to Eva-Maria Holzleitner, Federal Minister for Women, Science, and Research, Bettina Emmerling, Deputy Mayor of Vienna, and Jakob Calice, Managing Director of OeAD, who supported and accompanied the launch of the initiative. Together, they demonstrated how even kindergarten children can be introduced to the world of science and research.

Learn more: Article on the OeAD website

20.10.2025