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How can we protect our forests sustainably? How can plants sequester more CO₂? And how can cities – meaning both decision-makers and residents – remain capable of action during crises? Addressing these questions, the LOEWE projects emergenCITY, Tree-M, and RobuCop showcased their research at the Hessentag festival in Fulda on June 12 and 15 – offering an accessible, hands-on experience for all visitors.

At interactive stations hosted by the Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Art and Culture, visitors of all ages experienced cutting-edge Hessian research firsthand: they examined the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under a microscope, took a first step into molecular biology through pipetting, extracted DNA from yeast or algae, and designed personalized bracelets based on genetic codes. Sterile mini-oak trees and glimpses into the hidden world of leaf microbes rounded out the experience.

The LOEWE center emergenCITY also made future technologies tangible: live data from the "Heinerboxes" in Darmstadt’s Lichtenbergblock, hands-on sensor boxes featuring an emergency network, and conversations with the developers demonstrated how resilient urban technologies are reimagining crisis communication.

The three LOEWE projects impressively demonstrated how research into climate, environmental, and civil protection translates into concrete solutions for tomorrow’s challenges—presented in an understandable, interactive way through direct dialogue with visitors.