Raising awareness for a secure, climate-neutral energy supply
The modular learning and teaching material initially raises awareness among students from the 8th grade onwards of how closely economic development, prosperity, and a secure energy supply are linked. It also shows how fusion in the sun underpins both the formation of fossil fuels and today’s renewable energy sources: The sun drives wind systems, water cycles, and plant growth and feeds solar thermal energy and photovoltaics. Over the last 200 years, stored, on-demand fossil fuels have played a central role in ensuring a stable energy supply—yet this stability has come at the cost of climate change. The learning material introduces basic physical principles, key terms, and units of measurement used in modern energy systems and highlights issues of global energy and climate justice. It also focuses on economic aspects such as the relationship between primary energy consumption and gross national product. With the materials and guided by key questions, students can explore these topics independently in teams.
As an introduction to fusion, the material examines how solar energy—and thus fusion in the sun—is already used indirectly on Earth. These applications range from passive houses and greenhouses to solar cookers, hydropower, wind and solar power, biomass, and even cold-blooded animals. Participants can familiarize themselves with how diverse these approaches are through videos, web content, and technical articles. As in all modules, they present the results of their research to each other. They are free to choose whether to produce videos, podcasts, posters, or presentations. "They should apply what they have learned right away and start talking with the other participants about it," explains Peter Trechow, project manager at Fraunhofer ILT. The project is not just about imparting knowledge, but also about giving young people a positive outlook on the future and encouraging them in times of climate change and multiple global crises. Leitzgen adds: "Those who engage in conversation and experience that their own voice counts will also have the confidence to become part of the solution, perhaps even professionally."
Fusion can decouple energy supply from the carbon cycle
This is where the actual heart of the "fusionsLAB" comes into play: a module that not only combines technical fascination with the physical fundamentals of fusion technology, but also makes the fusion of the hydrogen isotopes deuterium and tritium comprehensible. Starting at the atomic level and with the basics of laser technology, students learn about power plant concepts for laser-based inertial fusion and magnetic fusion. They explore Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity as well as the technological challenges involved in developing a fusion power plant. Hands-on experiments make the fusion reaction – and its complexity – tangible. In six subject areas, students deepen their knowledge according to their interests – ranging from physical and technical topics to broader questions of global justice, modern energy systems, social acceptance, and economic factors. "Here, too, we focus on applying and consolidating the knowledge learned," says Leitzgen. At the end, there is a simulation game: The youth slip into roles—as concerned citizens, power plant planners, scientists, financial experts, or media professionals—and present their position on fusion. "This shows what has stuck," explains Trechow. "Is fusion a beacon of hope or a distraction? A billion-dollar white elephant or the key to global justice?" With the material developed in Science Year 2025, "ProZeF" is directly helping young people find technically sound answers to these questions.
The aim now is to make the learning and teaching materials available to as many schools and extracurricular learning centers in Germany as possible. The modular and self-explanatory materials can be used in regular lessons or in week-long projects for students from the 8th grade onwards. Interested parties are invited to contact the project managers to obtain access data and further information about the free materials.
Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT
