What distinguishes knowledge transfer at the University of Münster? Three different examples from University practice
Citizen science is one component in knowledge transfer at the University of Münster. The idea is for the general public to be actively involved in university research – whether through generating questions, developing projects or collecting and evaluating data. The so-called “senseBox” – a stationary and mobile measuring equipment kit – is one example of a citizen science project at Münster University. Over the past few years, people have set up more than 5,500 measuring stations worldwide and recorded billions of environmental and weather data relating to air pressure, temperature and UV radiation. The data are freely accessible on the “openSenseMap” on the internet. “The senseBox is a DIY kit which not only helps to build up a photonic sensor network for citizen science, but also, in particular, develops a fascination for photonic technologies among the public at large,” explains Dr. Thomas Bartoschek, who heads the senseBox project and is a research associate at the Institute of Geoinformatics. Today, hundreds of schools and universities are also using the senseBox in the STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).