High Performance Treffpunkt
The popular Treffpunkt Science City is ushering in the new season. From 26 October to 30 November 2014, various events will be held which focus on the theme of ‘high performance’. This is the first summit series under the directorship of Inge Keller-Hoehl, who has taken over from Mercedes Leupp and Rolf Probala.
In the international rankings, ETH Zurich is consistently found near the top. And it's no wonder, because exceptional performance is one of the university's stated aims. But what is high performance, and how do we make it happen? Is it individuals or teams who achieve extraordinary results? Is it ultimately a function of perseverance and the right response to setbacks? The new director of the Treffpunkt, Inge Keller-Hoehl, wants to take an in-depth look at these and other questions with this year's autumn programme: “At ETH, the will to put in a high performance is an omnipresent theme. Since extraordinary performances also capture the imagination of the public, it's a great theme for Treffpunkt.”
Open season for student performance
The theme has proven to be so diverse that each Sunday has its own sub-theme, including ‘human high performance’ (26/10), ‘high performance in nature’ (16/11) and ‘technical high performance’ (30/11). There will also be a ‘Student Power Day’ on Sunday 9 November, where students will demonstrate the passion with which they pursue their research projects. Among the attractions will be the ‘grimsel’, a racing car built by students which will be seen zipping around the Hönngerberg campus. The electric missile, which won the international Formula Student competition on the Hockenheimring this summer, accelerates as fast as a Formula 1 car. At the Treffpunkt, it will show its stuff in almost silent test drives around Hönggerberg.
Does pressure to perform automatically lead to success?
There's no doubt that we live in a performance-oriented society. But the very factors that lead people to achieve the impossible are increasingly stoking critical debate as well. Many parents feel pressured to make all the ‘right’ moves to help their kids get ahead as soon as they're born. But is it even possible to foster development among children? What do you do if a child has specific weaknesses? A discussion on 28 October will question elitist thinking and performance pressure in childhood. The discussion will include Doctor Oskar Jenni, Head of Developmental Paediatrics at the Children's Hospital Zurich, Heidi Simoni, Head of the Marie Meierhofer Institut, Elsbeth Stern, Head of the Institute of Behavioural Sciences at ETH Zurich, and Andrea Violi, mother of four boys between the ages of 10 and 15.
Sporting panel discussion
Many people's first association with performance is sports. As such, we have invited six-time triathlon world champion Natascha Badmann to the discussion on 20 November. Alongside designated ETH Rector Sarah Springman, who was also an elite athlete, and Shem Thomas, finalist in The Voice of Switzerland, they will talk about whether personal elite performance is more down to talent or hard work. Shem Thomas will also perform two of his hits.
Treffpunkt Science City
Treffpunkt Science City is a free event programme open to the public that has been held by ETH Zurich for the past six years. In lectures, demonstrations, exhibitions, lab tours and discussion panels, researchers provide a glimpse into what they're working on and why the world of science is so exciting. The Treffpunkt series is held in spring and autumn for approximately five weeks and centres on different themes. It consists of events for adults, teenagers and children.
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