© Fraunhofer FIRST
Science Year 2006 was devoted to the field of informatics. It followed Einstein Year 2005 and was the seventh in a series of Science Years launched by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
Informatics is omnipresent. Hardly any other field of science has made its way into so many different areas of our lives. In particular, informatics is found in places where nobody can see it. Hidden away in telephone exchanges, mobile phones, cars and household appliances, it steers, regulates, measures and gives off warnings. Informatics is at the heart of the modern information society. One of the most fascinating characteristics of informatics is that innovations are taking place at such a tremendous pace. Things that seemed impossible ten years ago have already become reality. Computers and electronic products are constantly becoming smaller, more intelligent and increasingly efficient. We all benefit from this every day without even knowing.
Informatics Year was organised in conjunction with the Science in Dialogue initiative and the Gesellschaft für Informatik (GI) as well as with numerous partners in the fields of science, industry and culture. As in previous years, the idea behind this Science Year is to familiarise a broader public with the contents, processes and practical applications of science and to do so in an informative, exciting and entertaining way.
The Science Year 2006 wanted to make people look forward to the future and acquaint them with an area of science that is advancing rapidly. In particular, it wants to inform young people about the many career opportunities in this field. In the face of worldwide competition, a country will only have a chance in the information millennium if a large share of its population young and old, male and female are involved in informatics. Informatics Year offered people an opportunity to discover and become familiar with informatics through many events, exhibitions, concerts and contests throughout the country. One highlight of Informatics Year coincided with the Football World Cup: the tenth RoboCup World Championships the biggest-ever robotics tournament.
This website gives a review of the varied programme of events and introduces you to the wide spectrum of topics featured during Science Year 2006.
