Rain, rain, rain … and then a little more rain. It seemed impossible to stop the blessings from above this weekend in Copenhagen. However, that does not stop brave children to bring their parents for a day of free playing and learning at Energi- og Vandværkstedet (The Energy and Water Science Center of Copenhagen). With more water!
Energi- og Vandværkstedet is used to dealing with water. This Sunday a little more than usual.
The former waterworks at Damhussøen works as an educational institution to pupils in Danish primary schools in and among Copenhagen. Recently, they have doubled their number of daily visitors by including pupils from all over Hofor’s district, meaning pupils attending schools in Albertslund, Brøndby, Dragør, Herlev, Hvidovre, Rødøvre and Vallensbæk. Besides Copenhagen.
Normally the fun is closed to public, but a few times a year they open to anyone with and interest in water, consumption, supply and life within.
In the educational room the youngest children are asked to draw bacteria.
– Come on, Let’s go and crawl into the toilet.
The 5 year old boy does not seem too happy to let go of his pancake and follow his Mum’s weird suggestion. But soon he lightens up at the sight of the toilet. This enormous rebuilding of a toilet makes it possible for children to pass through the plug hole, enter the drain pipe and learn about water in household.
Want to go on a tour through the drain pipes?
Well outside the draining system it is time to have a closer look at the inhabitants of water. These are insects and minor animals which are caught with a net and studied. Storm, aged 5, is willing to give it a try.
Fishing for life in water demands a full focus. In spite of pouring rain Storm finds this very exciting.
During Spring time it is not unlikely that the pupils are lucky to catch a big newt in the river behind the center. But this day they seem to be hiding from the pouring rain. But a member of the staff has actually caught a small crayfish.
Hello, Mr Crayfish! This little fellow popped up to greet you.
Martha is very busy. At the top of the water mill she makes sure to pump out all the water that her small arms can possibly manage to fill up the reservoir above the lock chamber. It is a big duty, but she is also a big girl, turning 7 very soon. And she does get a little help from Laura, aged 12 and Sofie, 13 years old.
Martha puts all her strenghts in filling up the reservior and keep the water mill going.
Down in the less troubled water it is possible to build your very own ship and launch it. The latter turns out to be more than difficult in pouring rain, since the material is mainlycardboard and cork. But brave Valdemar, aged 6, is not prepared to give up.
Valdemar glances at his boat which fights bravely for a moment before it sinks.
I am saaaaailing … Sail, my boat. Sail. This is quite a challenge when rain is pouring down.
As the rain slows down (for the first time in more than 12 hours), Lauge, 9 years old, has a bit more luck. Carefully he slips the boat into the water – and it floats! Seconds later he jumps up on down yelling:
– Yes, yes, yes! That was my fourth time in the water!!
Lauge is a skilled boat builder. But excitement never stops – even when he launches boat number four.
Do you want to play with water too? Then join the free fun at the next Open House-session.
It will take place at Sunday, the 5th of October at 11 o’clock.
This is just around the time that they will finish the building of a brand new Climate Adaption Center. After all this raining, God knows it is much needed.
Read more about The Open House-Sessions.
A new Climate Adaption Center is soon to come with fine solutions on how to avoid floods.
