Current Program

Workshop Program Summer 2026

Every Lichtwerkstatt workshop is free of charge and open for everyone. 
To register for a workshop, please send us a quick informal email with your name and background!

• 3D Visualization with Blender for Scientists
  7pm-8pm, April 28nd 2026, SR2 Abbe Center of Photonics, Albert-Einstein-Str. 6, Jena
  The free open-source 3D software Blender provides an accessible, low-threshold entry into the world of 3D visualization. In this workshop, we will discuss how to create attractive and meaningful representations of experimental setups with just a few clicks, how to stage them effectively, and how to bring them to life with animations. The goal is for you to build your own setups as 3D models by the end of the workshop, taking your next paper publication or presentation slides to the next level.

• Pushing Ideas and Photons: Prototyping with a Lasercutter
  4pm-7pm, May 5th 2026, SR2 Abbe Center of Photonics, Albert-Einstein-Str. 6, Jena
  As part of the upcoming Thuringian Boost! Innovation Sprint Event, we are offering a workshop on using laser cutters for prototyping. Here, you will learn how to quickly and efficiently create designs in CAD or vector graphics software to transform your ideas and concepts into physical objects. The goal is to utilize the laser cutter as a rapid prototyping tool, allowing designs to be adapted and refined as quickly and purposefully as possible to achieve a Minimum Viable Prototype in a short amount of time.

• Stacking Ideas and Plastic: Prototyping with a 3D Printer
  4pm-7pm, May 6th 2026, SR1 Abbe Center of Photonics, Albert-Einstein-Str. 6, Jena
  As part of our involvement in the forthcoming Boost Innovation Sprint, we are offering a hands-on workshop on leveraging additive manufacturing as a tool for rapid prototyping. Here, you’ll learn how to prepare a CAD model and design 3D objects according to the specific requirements of the FDM printers available in the Lichtwerkstatt. Together, we’ll explore how to optimize these designs and materials to ensure your concepts are realized with the required properties in the shortest amount of time.

• Designing Research Posters with Affinity Designer
  4pm-7pm, May 19th 2026, SR2 Abbe Center of Photonics, Albert-Einstein-Str. 6, Jena
  Ditch the good old PowerPoint: there is a new design software in town. Affinity Designer offers a professional and free alternative that seamlessly combines vector illustration, pixel editing, and desktop publishing in a single workflow. In this workshop, we‘ll use this software to design a proper research poster. This includes exploring essential layout techniques, graphic design fundamentals, typography, and color theory to communicate your research results in a beautiful, comprehensive way.

• Beep! Bup! Beeup! Reading Weather Satellites
  t.b.a Abbe Center of Photonics, Albert-Einstein-Str. 6, Jena
  
  
• Molding and Casting 3D Prints
  t.b.a. Abbe Center of Photonics, Albert-Einstein-Str. 6, Jena

 Sommerferien Programm 2026

• Robotik für Mädchen
  1. Ferienwoche, Abbe Center of Photonics, Albert-Einstein-Str. 6, Jena
  Detaillierte Informationen folgen
• Spieleprogrammierung in Godot
  1. Ferienwoche, Abbe Center of Photonics, Albert-Einstein-Str. 6, Jena
  Detaillierte Informationen folgen
• Mikroskopie im Forst
  Nachmittag 28. Juli 2026, Abbe Center of Photonics, Albert-Einstein-Str. 6, Jena
  Detaillierte Informationen folgen
• Wir basteln BookNooks
  Letzte Ferienwoche, Ernst-Abbe-Bibliothek Jena
  Detaillierte Informationen folgen
• Textilworkshop
  Letzte Ferienwoche, Abbe Center of Photonics, Albert-Einstein-Str. 6, Jena
  Detaillierte Informationen folgen
• Elektronik für EinsteigerInnen
  Letzte Ferienwoche, Abbe Center of Photonics, Albert-Einstein-Str. 6, Jena
  Detaillierte Informationen folgen