Pale Blue Dot
News
January 14, 2026
Start of the online event series “Heat-resistant schools”
©Heinz
On September 30, 2026, the first online session of the event series "Heat-Resilient Schools" took place. The lectures, organized by the German Alliance for Climate Change and Health (KLUG e.V.), are aimed at all interested people. Experts from various scientific disciplines and from practical experience in schools spoke about the fundamentals of heat protection in schools.
The recording can be accessed via the following link:
January 14, 2026
PBD project week at Bernried primary school
©Baus
The "Pale Blue Dot" program so captivated us, the team at Bernried Elementary School at Lake Starnberg, that it became the theme of our annual project week. In addition to the existing modules, the students were able to craft blue pearls from scrap paper as keepsakes. The blue pearl motif was the central focus. Another workshop, exploring climate change, visited farm animals and studied invasive plant species. The children were truly enthusiastic about the many fascinating information. A truly fantastic program!
January 14, 2026
Working group “Heat-resistant schools” launched
©Heinz
Teachers from various secondary and primary schools in different regions of Bavaria have joined forces to form a new working group. Their goal is to develop exemplary solutions and strategies for better preparing educational institutions for the anticipated increase in heat stress in the future. The participating teachers are receiving advice and support from the KLUG eV initiative (German Alliance for Climate Change and Health).
September 2024
First realization of the PBD at the GS Schwarzenbruck
©Heinz
Since the 2024/25 school year, we have been working with great enthusiasm on the Pale Blue Dot Program at our school. The holistic approach to these highly motivating topics particularly appeals to the children on both a cognitive and emotional level. The uniqueness and special qualities of our planet become tangible, awakening a desire to protect and preserve this "Blue Pearl." At the same time, the students deepen their understanding of the interconnectedness of climate change and experience themselves as important players in shaping our future.
November 20-22, 2023
first teacher training
©Schneider
From November 20th to 22nd, the first teacher training on the Pale Blue Dot Program took place in Gars am Inn. During these days, teachers from all over Bavaria familiarized themselves with the models and materials of the Pale Blue Dot Program. Thanks to the generous support of the Bayerische Sparkassenstiftung, we were able to present the participating teachers with their own "Pale Blue Dot Boxes." In an evening craft session, the teachers themselves completed the planet and moon models for the boxes.
November 20, 2023
Kick-off event
©Schneider
On November 20th, the Pale Blue Dot program was officially launched with a festive ceremony featuring musical accompaniment. Mr. Ingo Krüger of the Bayerische Sparkassenstiftung then opened the "Pale Blue Dot Room" which will now be the Pale Blue Dot programms permanent home.
The first teacher training session on the project then took place.
November 14, 2023
Presentation of the BP project
©Baeumler
On November 14, 2023, the Pale Blue Dot Program for primary schools was presented at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. The presentation took place as part of a public lecture by Prof. Dr. Harald Lesch on the topic of "The Origin and Development of the Earth." After Dr. Cecilia Scorza-Lesch briefly introduced the project and its goals, Mr. Ingo Krüger from the Bayerische Sparkassensiftung spoke about the foundation's motivation and work. Ms. Michaela Severin, Director of the Institute for Teacher Training in Gars am Inn, was also introduced and expressed her pleasure at the prospect of future collaboration on the Pale Blue Dot project.
July 2023
Pilot project in Gars am Inn
©Scorza-Lesch
Following initial one-day pilot projects, including those in Munich, Armenia, and South Africa, another project began in Gars am Inn in July 2023. We met several times with four primary school children of different ages and tried out the activities, experiments, and crafts of the Pale Blue Dot project with them. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the project. The children's enthusiasm for discovering new things and trying out the materials of the Pale Blue Dot program was also a great motivation for us.