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Mini-project with own experiments

Mini-project with own experiments

Brief description

At the beginning of the semester (autumn), the students come to Flakkebjerg research centre to start an outdoor experiment with plants. After a few weeks, they come back and make analyses, calculations and presentations. 

Teacher's motivation

To introduce students to scientific working methods 

      

Execution

THE PROCESS

1st visit to Flakkebjerg

(3 days) 

Groups: 

  • In groups, the problem statement and hypotheses for the experiment are drawn up, and a plan for the experiment is designed. 

In plenum: 

  • Experiment plan and hypotheses are presented/discussed in plenum. 

  • Then the various experiments are initiated. 

Between visits to Flakkebjerg 

  • The experiments are supervised by staff in Flakkebjerg for a few weeks, when the students are not present at Flakkebjerg.  

  • In the meantime, the students participate in lectures/exercises in statistics and modelling in 'R'.  

2nd visit to Flakkebjerg

(3 days) 

Groups: 

  • The students return to Flakkebjerg and reap the results of their experiments: measure various parameters, make statistics of results, etc. 

In plenum: 

  • The students present the results of their experiments in plenum. 

RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS

SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS
Teaching facilities in Flakkebjerg  Group work, feedback, presentations 

Learning objectives

  • The mini-project is a combination of scientific expertise and disciplinary knowledge with personal and professional competencies (creativity, independence, analytical sense), social skills (collaborative skills, the ability to explain, communicate, listen and talk) and communication skills (written and oral). 

Experiences

Outcome:

  • Dissemination of organisational skills, teamwork and use of experimental facilities at the centres are part of teaching.  
  • Along with lectures and practical and theoretical exercises at Flakkebjerg, the mini-project has provided valuable learning (and positive feedback from the students) on the course.  

Basic information

Teacher's name: Bernd Wollenweber 
Faculty and department/school: TECH, Agroecology 
Degree programme:  Agrobiology 
Study level:  Executive Master’s Degree Programme 
Course/subject: Crop Nutrition & Physiology 
Number of students (approx.): 15 
Time frame:  Course 
Form of instruction:  Classroom instruction, supervision, laboratory teaching, and work placement 
Time of completion:

Bernd Wollenweber


Contact

Revised 22.04.2026