phaenovum –
Schülerforschungszentrum Lörrach-Dreiländereck e.V.
(the phaenovum Student Research Center of Lörrach and the Tri-border Region)

One particularly characteristic aspect of activities at the phaenovum Student Research Center is the extensive networking that goes on between projects and the practical link between the subjects taught and research which is established through the joint commitments made by schools, institutions supporting the schools, the University of Cooperative Education, universities and businesses from industry. These businesses take on patronages to finance students and provide trainee positions.

Cross-border collaboration is another central theme at phaenovum where the aim is to promote contact among students from France, Switzerland and Germany during joint scientific and technical experiments.

• At phaenovum, students interested in and with a talent for the subject matter are given an opportunity to let their creativity unfold and get to the bottom of unsolved scientific mysteries using an independent, interdisciplinary approach and without classroom pressure or a rigid syllabus.
• Students are encouraged to develop theories and to plan and conduct experiments. This personal responsibility both motivates them and awakens skills that these youths were quite frequently never even aware of.
• Enthusiasm and a love of science are aroused at an early age. Yet the aim of these efforts is not only to teach young people how to research but also to teach target-oriented project and time management skills, project and result presentation skills and teamwork – skills which are fundamental for a successful professional life.
• Educational guidance and instruction are provided to students both by teachers from the general school system and vocational schools of the counties of Lörrach and Waldshut which are financed though the teaching hours specially allocated to phaenovum by the State of Baden-Württemberg as well as by scientific staff from universities and experts from industry.
• The regional school network plays a vital role in scouting out the region's interested, talented students and motivating them to shift some of their academic activities to phaenovum.
• phaenovum - Schülerforschungszentrum Lörrach-Dreiländereck e.V. aims to encourage suitable young talent at an early stage who will later take on roles in the science and research sector both in industry and universities. University research centers and businesses are given an opportunity to come into close contact with phaenovum's young researchers.
• Finally, phaenovum helps strengthen the tri-border economic area and boost the image of both the city and the region.