Research, Laughter, Learning: Summer Highlights for Children

The aim of Third Mission activities such as the Children’s Universities is to spark enthusiasm for scientific topics and nurture the natural curiosity of the youngest learners. Numerous experts from Vetmeduni once again volunteered as instructors this year, presenting their fields in an engaging, accessible, and heartfelt way.

The strong participation underscored just how great the interest is at a young age: around 1,800 children attended age-appropriate and entertaining courses at Vetmeduni as part of the KinderuniWien. From July 22 to 24, lecture halls, laboratories, and seminar rooms were buzzing with study, research, and hands-on experimentation.

The program featured 33 formats, ranging from lectures and seminars to workshops. Children aged seven to twelve were able to gather knowledge, ask questions, and experience for themselves, for example, how a cancer drug is discovered or how to optimally care for the teeth of dogs and cats.

By taking part in events like the Children’s Universities, Vetmeduni plays a central role in knowledge transfer - deliberately focusing on children. This was also reflected in the special program of KinderUniGraz (Children’s University Graz): thanks to a cooperation between the Piber Lipizzaner Stud Farm, the Spanish Riding School, and Vetmeduni, the popular excursion to the famous white horses took place for the fifth time. On July 30, thirty inquisitive children immersed themselves in the world of the imperial horses through guided tours and workshops. As part of the “Special Piber Aktion 2026,” equine specialists and veterinarians from Vetmeduni and the Spanish Riding School provided fascinating insights into handling the animals and into topics related to equine health.

There were also opportunities to connect with research in Innsbruck. At the Kinder-Sommer-Uni Innsbruck (Children’s Summer University Innsbruck) on July 23 and 24, a workshop at Vetmeduni’s Tyrol branch titled “Healthy Cows, Healthy Milk: How Do Cows Stay Healthy and What’s in Milk?” focused entirely on bovine health and milk quality. Using simple, partly lab-based tests, the children actively participated and explored milk with all their senses.

Participation in Children’s Universities across the federal provinces is part of Vetmeduni’s networking initiative VetmedRegio. Through numerous projects and events, the university highlights the importance of veterinary medicine to society and helps strengthen veterinary care in rural regions - particularly in the livestock sector.

Children aged eight to fourteen got a taste of entrepreneurship at the Kinder Business Week. On July 21, Vetmeduni experts explained at the WKO Campus Vienna how to become a veterinarian and what a typical workday in veterinary medicine looks like.

Under the motto “Floridsdorf plays!”, nearly 50 inquisitive children explored the Vetmeduni campus on July 27 and 28. A series of scavenger hunts led them across the grounds with tricky questions about horses, cows, and pigs. The animal encounters were a particular highlight: the children were allowed to pet cows and sheep and even feed the pigs - an experience that sent many home with shining eyes and new stories to tell.

The program also included a visit to the university library. Between the bookshelves, an exciting treasure hunt awaited, complemented by a challenging puzzle that called for teamwork and detective skills. The mix of movement, a spirit of inquiry, and animal encounters once again made the Floridsdorf holiday program a thoroughly rewarding experience.

Setting the course for the future

For the fifth time, teenagers took a behind-the-scenes look at what studying veterinary medicine could be like through the VetINNsights Summer School - a joint initiative of the Province of Tyrol and Vetmeduni. A total of 28 participants aged 16 to 19 completed the week-long program at the HBLFA Tyrol in the Zillertal.

Vetmeduni extends its sincere thanks to all staff and students for their great commitment!

Photos/Video KinderuniWien, Ferienspiel and Kinder Business Week: Thomas Suchanek/Vetmeduni

Photos KinderUniGraz: KinderUniGraz

Photos Sommer-Uni Innsbruck: Lorenz Khol/Vetmeduni

Photo VetINNSights: Land Tirol/Jansenberger