Informatiktage 2023: A week to discover the wide world of computer science
From 27 March to 1 April 2023, the Informatiktage (Computer Science Days) will take place in the Greater Zurich Area for the sixth time. The Department of Computer Science and ETH Zurich’s IT Services will be hosting a variety of workshops, talks, and exhibits showcasing some of the latest technologies.
Throughout the week, workshops and lecturers will introduce school students and teachers to the world of computer science. On Saturday, the computer science building will be open to everyone, offering unique opportunities to get an insider view into ETH’s IT infrastructure, speak with students and scientists, and learn about the past, present and future of computer science at ETH Zurich.
Workshops and more for school classes and teachers
In workshops for school classes, pupils can take their first steps into programming. While discovering how entertaining computer science can be, they will also learn about the possibilities to study computer science or to start an apprenticeship at ETH.
“When you enjoy discovering the wide world of computer science, you keep fond memories and will also learn more easily.”Marc Winkler and Martin Schneider, ETH IT Training Lab.
Teachers and anyone interested in educational topics will benefit from an exclusive opportunity to meet with computer science lecturers, gain insight into their daily work, and learn how to support students of all backgrounds and disciplines in learning how to program.
Coding experience for young and old
In workshops such as the Coding Club for Girls or the MBot Mission, children and teenagers will explore the world of robotics and programming. Parents or grandparents can join in on the fun in mixed workshops and uncover the secrets of programming self-driving cars in teams of two, along with their children.
Technology talks for everyone
Talks open to everyone will showcase the variety of practical applications computer science has in the real world, from entertainment to Internet security. Christopher Schroers, a scientist from DisneyResearch|Studios, will explore the secrets of Hollywood blockbusters, demonstrating the power of visual computing and machine learning in animated movies. Marc Pollefeys, ETH professor and Director of the Microsoft Mixed Reality and AI Lab, will talk about Mixed Reality and how this technology can change our experience of the world. Juan A. Garcia-Pardo, a Research Programmer from the Network Security Group, will explain their design of a cyberattack-proof Internet. In addition, the finalists of the first Swiss AI competition for young people will present their projects. In teams of two to five IT enthusiasts, the young coders have been developing their own artificial intelligence since fall 2022 - following their own ideas, but with some help from doctoral students at ETH Zurich. The best projects will be awarded a prize during the Informatiktage
Exhibition and guided tours for interactive fun and encounters
Diving into the past of ETH Zurich’s IT infrastructure through an exclusive visit of the data centre; getting a chance to meet ETH’s most famous alumnus Albert Einstein for a casual chat; or making drawings come alive on an augmented-reality colouring book: these are only a few of the many activities awaiting curious visitors.
The exhibition area will be the perfect place to exchange with students and researchers, and to discover some serious and fun applications of computer science. It will be a chance to meet the developer team of the multiplayer game “Unrailed!” at the Game Lounge, to have fun playing and to learn more about game development. A few steps away, researchers from the AI Center will share the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence and computer vision and introduce you to Morph, a young artificial intelligence who dreams of a Mars mission and needs help.
“For me, the most important aspect of Morph Tales is to get young people excited about the wide range of applications and possibilities of AI. It is important to sensitize players to ethical use of AI and make them understand that AI is essentially a reflection of the data we put into it. ”Henning Metzmacher, Game Technology Center (GTC).
Explore the programme and book your visit today
Apart from the exhibition, the majority of the events in the programme require a reservation. In particular, the school class sessions, coding workshops and guided tours are in high demand, and some are already fully booked. Therefore, visitors are advised to also check the programmes of other Informatiktage partners.
