The Team

The project is headed by Prof. Dr. Daniela Niesta Kayser. She has been a visiting professor in the Department of Education and Psychology since January 1, 2023. Advisory members of the team: Toni Bauer, teacher for special tasks in the field of educational sciences and psychology; Anja Stöshel, team assistant in the Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, co-initiator and applicant of the predecessor project “Gieß deinen Campus”; Janine Heinrich, employee in the examination office of the Department of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, also co-initiator and applicant of the project “Gieß deinen Campus”; Alexander Schnücker, employee at CeDiS and creator of an FU wiki incl. a 360-degree virtual tour of the theater. 360 degree virtual tour of the Theaterhof; and finally PD Dr. Manfred Forstreuter, environmental researcher and private lecturer at the Institute of Biology.

About the idea

With this project, we want to draw attention to the connection of water cycles on the FU campus, motivate people to store and use rainwater and invite them to water trees, especially in urban areas, and contribute to strengthening self-efficacy.

Each member of the team contributes experience from their area of expertise.

1. Challenge and goal of the idea: The project Rain Barrels Held:innen addresses the increasing periods of drought in Berlin, which endanger urban trees. The aim is to store and use rainwater to irrigate the trees on the FU Berlin campus. Through the use of cooperative teaching-learning strategies, students, employees and schools are to be actively involved in order to promote sustainability and personal responsibility.

2. Contribution to the sustainable development of the FU: The project strengthens the ecological sustainability of the FU Berlin by implementing a resilient strategy for water use. The initiative relieves the burden on the water infrastructure, protects the tree population and sensitizes the campus community to resource conservation. The aim is to raise long-term awareness through interactive maps, tree sponsorships and digital communication tools.

3. Long-term goal and desired change: In the long term, the project should contribute to systematic and sustainable water use on campus. In addition to watering trees, it promotes personal responsibility and environmental awareness among students and staff. The continuation of the initiative is to be secured through follow-up funding.

4. Current stage of the idea: The project is in the planning phase with preparatory discussions and a detailed implementation strategy. The start is planned for the winter semester break 2024/25, with gradual implementation over five implementation phases until December 2025.

Outlook

I am looking forward to working together in the project and networking with each other. It's much easier to implement project ideas together.

Contact

Prof. Dr. Daniela Niesta Kayser (E-Mail: daniela.niesta-kayser@fu-berlin.de)