As part of the ATEMPGRAD project, we are building a device designed for classroom use. It is intended to enable teachers and students to conduct a variety of inexpensive and insightful experiments in the subjects of physics, chemistry, biology, geography and mathematics. These experiments illustrate interrelationships in nature and thus make theoretical content more understandable by means of concrete, practical experiments.

Temperature differences are relevant for many obvious questions, such as aggregations of molecules, electrical resistance, plant growth or insect activity. But the instrument can also be used specifically for more complex questions where small, local temperature differences are less important, such as evolution, climate change or industrial production processes. The complexity of the experiments and the increasingly difficult questions can be adapted to different age groups. Thus, the instrument should be suitable for use in almost all school levels.

Technically, the ATEMPGRAD device allows flexible creation of temperature patterns. Linear gradients from cold to warm as well as complex temperature environments can be set.