NANO - Wissenschaft begreifen
(705 Reviews)

Am Kanal 57, Potsdam

Am Kanal 57, 14467 Potsdam, Germany

NANO - Understanding Science | Opening Hours & Tickets

NANO - Understanding Science is the exact address in Potsdam for everyone who wants to experience science not just explained, but with their own hands. The building at Am Kanal 57 has evolved from a parent project into a modern science center and today stands for a clear educational approach: experiment, observe, ask, understand. Over 80 experiments, interactive stations for families, offerings for daycare centers and schools, as well as changing themes make the place a compact but content-rich world of discovery. Those looking for photos, reviews, or practical information usually want to know if the visit is worthwhile, how to get there, and what is really offered on-site. NANO provides a straightforward answer to this: it's about real participation, playful learning, and experiences that stick in your mind. The combination of exhibition, laboratory, and practical natural phenomena makes the science center a special destination in the heart of Potsdam.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/en/?utm_source=openai))

Opening Hours, Tickets, and Visit Planning

Anyone planning a visit to NANO should first know the current opening hours, as they vary depending on the target group. For families and leisure, the science center is currently open Tuesday to Thursday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and Friday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; it is closed on Monday. There are specific times for daycare groups, as well as for schools and after-school care, and there are special time slots for birthdays to keep the processes calm and well-planned. Particularly practical is the arrangement during the winter holidays: then NANO is open continuously from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Those organizing the journey from a greater distance benefit from the clear communication of the most important visiting times on the website. This is a real advantage for families preparing a day trip, as well as for teachers traveling with a class or after-school group.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/oeffnungszeiten/?utm_source=openai))

Visit planning also includes the ticket issue. The FAQ explicitly recommends booking leisure tickets online in advance so that you don't find yourself in front of closed doors due to a fully booked time slot. This is especially sensible on weekends and during holiday periods when demand is typically higher. Additionally, experimental courses can be booked online or directly on-site at the cash register; a course lasts half an hour and costs an extra 7.50 euros according to the FAQ. For school and daycare visits, there are again specific booking paths and time slots, which significantly simplifies organization. Anyone planning a special occasion like a birthday should also check early because the time slots are tightly scheduled, and the house consciously prefers small, concentrated visiting groups with its participatory concept. This keeps the stay manageable, focused, and without rush.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/en/faq/))

Photos, Impressions, and What Makes NANO Special

Many search queries around NANO revolve around photos because the place is visually very clear and recognizable. This is mainly due to the exhibits, which do not resemble classic museum showcases but invite direct participation. The official website describes, among other things, a thermal image selfie wall, the chocolate kiss pump, the podcast chair, and a mouse labyrinth. Such stations create images that one likes to keep in mind: a thermal image of oneself, a foam kiss in a vacuum, an experiment with sound transmission directly through the skull bone, or the amazement that mice orient themselves better in the labyrinth than humans. For all those looking for an experience with clear motifs, NANO is therefore more than just a place of learning. It is a place where science becomes visible and where discovery, play, and wonder combine into a very tangible experience.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/en/))

The user perspective is also well explained by the concept: the exhibition is not designed for distance but for touch, movement, and repetition. This means that visitors do not just look but actively change, test, and compare things. So, those searching for photos in search engines often mean exactly this experience: What does the exhibition look like, how does it feel, and is it rather small and focused or large and overwhelming? The answer from the official information is clear: NANO is compact enough to be experienced intensively in one visit, but content-wise versatile enough to appeal to multiple target groups. This creates the impression of a modern science center that consciously relies on immediate Aha moments rather than pure representation. This makes it particularly appealing for families with children, but also for anyone who wants to experience natural sciences in a relatable and entertaining way.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/en/))

Access, Parking, and Barrier-Free Access

The access to NANO is pleasantly simple for visitors to Potsdam, as the location in the city center is well connected. Officially, the building is located at Am Kanal 57, 14467 Potsdam. Particularly important for public transport access: The tram station Burg-Klinikum with lines 93, 94, and 99, as well as bus 692, is located directly in front of the entrance. According to the FAQ, it is about a 10 to 15-minute walk from Potsdam Central Station. Those walking who come via Freundschaftsinsel only need to cross a larger road at a traffic light. This makes the location attractive for families or school groups who want to arrive without a car. Especially for a participatory place that relies on planable time slots and short distances, this accessibility is a real advantage.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/en/faq/))

Parking is a bit more nuanced. The FAQ mentions a public, paid parking lot in front of NANO but also points out that it is currently occupied by containers, so the use of public transport is recommended. Tour buses can only stop there for boarding and alighting; the Bassinplatz is mentioned as an alternative for parking. Also helpful is the note about the barrier-free entrance to the right of NANO, which is explicitly mentioned in the FAQ. This is an important practical point for groups with wheelchairs, strollers, or limited mobility. Overall, it shows that the location is urban, well-signposted, and functionally organized, but the currently best choice remains in many cases the journey by tram or on foot from the main station.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/en/faq/))

Experiments, Courses, and Offers for Families, Schools, and Birthdays

The heart of NANO is participation. The homepage describes the science center with over 80 experiments, and this variety shapes the character of the house. Instead of a purely linear exhibition, guests can expect a lively system of stations where research, comparison, and experimentation take place. Particularly notable are the showcase experiments mouse labyrinth and chocolate kiss in a vacuum, which are mentioned multiple times in the FAQ and on the website. Additionally, there are thematic courses that sensibly complement free exploration. For elementary school classes, there are 15 experimental courses in the areas of science education, environment, and natural sciences, while the STEM workshops for older students are more oriented towards current research questions. The educational thought behind this is clear: learning should arise from action, curiosity, and personal experience, not from frontal teaching.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/en/))

Particularly family-friendly is that NANO can be not only a school location but also a leisure spot and celebration venue. For daycare and school groups, there are fixed visiting windows, and clear prices and processes are listed on the pages for daycare, elementary school, and secondary school; for daycare and elementary school, the price is 5 euros per child or student. Birthdays are also a major topic: according to the official website, they typically last 3.5 hours, can be combined with experimental courses, and offer additional experiences such as a science show or a space format, depending on the package. The FAQ also explains that cakes and snacks can be brought along, but drinks must be purchased on-site. This results in a flexible yet structured offer for families looking for something more than a classic museum visit. Therefore, anyone looking for a place for children's birthdays or a learning trip with the class will find a concept here that is strong in content and well thought out organizationally.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/mein-besuch/grundschule/?utm_source=openai))

History, Development, and Special Role in Potsdam

The history of NANO does not begin with a large institution but with an idea from seven committed parents from Potsdam. In the summer of 2004, they decided that the city needed a scientific participatory world for children, founded the Exploratorium Potsdam e. V., and built the first exhibits. In 2005, the first exhibition was created with the autumn exploratorium at Potsdam Central Station, followed by a large hall on Wetzlarer Straße in Babelsberg in 2006, and in 2008, Filmpark Babelsberg became a co-partner. In 2011, the name Exploratorium Potsdam was abandoned in favor of Extavium, before the house moved and has been located at Am Kanal 57 in the heart of Potsdam since August 2015. Since May 1, 2020, it has belonged to Die Kinderwelt gGmbH, and in April 2024, it was pedagogically realigned and renamed NANO. This development shows how strongly the house has professionalized from a local educational project.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/en/about-us/history/))

The special role of NANO in Potsdam today lies in its mix of science, everyday life, and accessibility. The educational side describes the basic principle as learning through action: visitors should touch, build, turn, see through, and experiment. This is exactly how the house becomes a place where scientific connections do not remain abstract but become immediately tangible. For children, it is a play area, for schools an extracurricular learning location, and for families a destination that combines curiosity with entertainment. The connection of exhibition and laboratory is also remarkable because it links free exploration with thematically guided experimentation. The result is not a huge museum format but a concentrated, pedagogically smart offer that occupies a clear niche in Potsdam. Those looking for a science center that not only shows science but makes it comprehensible will find a convincing example here of what modern knowledge transfer can look like.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/en/about-us/educational-goals/))

Sources:

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NANO - Understanding Science | Opening Hours & Tickets

NANO - Understanding Science is the exact address in Potsdam for everyone who wants to experience science not just explained, but with their own hands. The building at Am Kanal 57 has evolved from a parent project into a modern science center and today stands for a clear educational approach: experiment, observe, ask, understand. Over 80 experiments, interactive stations for families, offerings for daycare centers and schools, as well as changing themes make the place a compact but content-rich world of discovery. Those looking for photos, reviews, or practical information usually want to know if the visit is worthwhile, how to get there, and what is really offered on-site. NANO provides a straightforward answer to this: it's about real participation, playful learning, and experiences that stick in your mind. The combination of exhibition, laboratory, and practical natural phenomena makes the science center a special destination in the heart of Potsdam.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/en/?utm_source=openai))

Opening Hours, Tickets, and Visit Planning

Anyone planning a visit to NANO should first know the current opening hours, as they vary depending on the target group. For families and leisure, the science center is currently open Tuesday to Thursday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and Friday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; it is closed on Monday. There are specific times for daycare groups, as well as for schools and after-school care, and there are special time slots for birthdays to keep the processes calm and well-planned. Particularly practical is the arrangement during the winter holidays: then NANO is open continuously from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Those organizing the journey from a greater distance benefit from the clear communication of the most important visiting times on the website. This is a real advantage for families preparing a day trip, as well as for teachers traveling with a class or after-school group.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/oeffnungszeiten/?utm_source=openai))

Visit planning also includes the ticket issue. The FAQ explicitly recommends booking leisure tickets online in advance so that you don't find yourself in front of closed doors due to a fully booked time slot. This is especially sensible on weekends and during holiday periods when demand is typically higher. Additionally, experimental courses can be booked online or directly on-site at the cash register; a course lasts half an hour and costs an extra 7.50 euros according to the FAQ. For school and daycare visits, there are again specific booking paths and time slots, which significantly simplifies organization. Anyone planning a special occasion like a birthday should also check early because the time slots are tightly scheduled, and the house consciously prefers small, concentrated visiting groups with its participatory concept. This keeps the stay manageable, focused, and without rush.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/en/faq/))

Photos, Impressions, and What Makes NANO Special

Many search queries around NANO revolve around photos because the place is visually very clear and recognizable. This is mainly due to the exhibits, which do not resemble classic museum showcases but invite direct participation. The official website describes, among other things, a thermal image selfie wall, the chocolate kiss pump, the podcast chair, and a mouse labyrinth. Such stations create images that one likes to keep in mind: a thermal image of oneself, a foam kiss in a vacuum, an experiment with sound transmission directly through the skull bone, or the amazement that mice orient themselves better in the labyrinth than humans. For all those looking for an experience with clear motifs, NANO is therefore more than just a place of learning. It is a place where science becomes visible and where discovery, play, and wonder combine into a very tangible experience.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/en/))

The user perspective is also well explained by the concept: the exhibition is not designed for distance but for touch, movement, and repetition. This means that visitors do not just look but actively change, test, and compare things. So, those searching for photos in search engines often mean exactly this experience: What does the exhibition look like, how does it feel, and is it rather small and focused or large and overwhelming? The answer from the official information is clear: NANO is compact enough to be experienced intensively in one visit, but content-wise versatile enough to appeal to multiple target groups. This creates the impression of a modern science center that consciously relies on immediate Aha moments rather than pure representation. This makes it particularly appealing for families with children, but also for anyone who wants to experience natural sciences in a relatable and entertaining way.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/en/))

Access, Parking, and Barrier-Free Access

The access to NANO is pleasantly simple for visitors to Potsdam, as the location in the city center is well connected. Officially, the building is located at Am Kanal 57, 14467 Potsdam. Particularly important for public transport access: The tram station Burg-Klinikum with lines 93, 94, and 99, as well as bus 692, is located directly in front of the entrance. According to the FAQ, it is about a 10 to 15-minute walk from Potsdam Central Station. Those walking who come via Freundschaftsinsel only need to cross a larger road at a traffic light. This makes the location attractive for families or school groups who want to arrive without a car. Especially for a participatory place that relies on planable time slots and short distances, this accessibility is a real advantage.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/en/faq/))

Parking is a bit more nuanced. The FAQ mentions a public, paid parking lot in front of NANO but also points out that it is currently occupied by containers, so the use of public transport is recommended. Tour buses can only stop there for boarding and alighting; the Bassinplatz is mentioned as an alternative for parking. Also helpful is the note about the barrier-free entrance to the right of NANO, which is explicitly mentioned in the FAQ. This is an important practical point for groups with wheelchairs, strollers, or limited mobility. Overall, it shows that the location is urban, well-signposted, and functionally organized, but the currently best choice remains in many cases the journey by tram or on foot from the main station.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/en/faq/))

Experiments, Courses, and Offers for Families, Schools, and Birthdays

The heart of NANO is participation. The homepage describes the science center with over 80 experiments, and this variety shapes the character of the house. Instead of a purely linear exhibition, guests can expect a lively system of stations where research, comparison, and experimentation take place. Particularly notable are the showcase experiments mouse labyrinth and chocolate kiss in a vacuum, which are mentioned multiple times in the FAQ and on the website. Additionally, there are thematic courses that sensibly complement free exploration. For elementary school classes, there are 15 experimental courses in the areas of science education, environment, and natural sciences, while the STEM workshops for older students are more oriented towards current research questions. The educational thought behind this is clear: learning should arise from action, curiosity, and personal experience, not from frontal teaching.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/en/))

Particularly family-friendly is that NANO can be not only a school location but also a leisure spot and celebration venue. For daycare and school groups, there are fixed visiting windows, and clear prices and processes are listed on the pages for daycare, elementary school, and secondary school; for daycare and elementary school, the price is 5 euros per child or student. Birthdays are also a major topic: according to the official website, they typically last 3.5 hours, can be combined with experimental courses, and offer additional experiences such as a science show or a space format, depending on the package. The FAQ also explains that cakes and snacks can be brought along, but drinks must be purchased on-site. This results in a flexible yet structured offer for families looking for something more than a classic museum visit. Therefore, anyone looking for a place for children's birthdays or a learning trip with the class will find a concept here that is strong in content and well thought out organizationally.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/mein-besuch/grundschule/?utm_source=openai))

History, Development, and Special Role in Potsdam

The history of NANO does not begin with a large institution but with an idea from seven committed parents from Potsdam. In the summer of 2004, they decided that the city needed a scientific participatory world for children, founded the Exploratorium Potsdam e. V., and built the first exhibits. In 2005, the first exhibition was created with the autumn exploratorium at Potsdam Central Station, followed by a large hall on Wetzlarer Straße in Babelsberg in 2006, and in 2008, Filmpark Babelsberg became a co-partner. In 2011, the name Exploratorium Potsdam was abandoned in favor of Extavium, before the house moved and has been located at Am Kanal 57 in the heart of Potsdam since August 2015. Since May 1, 2020, it has belonged to Die Kinderwelt gGmbH, and in April 2024, it was pedagogically realigned and renamed NANO. This development shows how strongly the house has professionalized from a local educational project.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/en/about-us/history/))

The special role of NANO in Potsdam today lies in its mix of science, everyday life, and accessibility. The educational side describes the basic principle as learning through action: visitors should touch, build, turn, see through, and experiment. This is exactly how the house becomes a place where scientific connections do not remain abstract but become immediately tangible. For children, it is a play area, for schools an extracurricular learning location, and for families a destination that combines curiosity with entertainment. The connection of exhibition and laboratory is also remarkable because it links free exploration with thematically guided experimentation. The result is not a huge museum format but a concentrated, pedagogically smart offer that occupies a clear niche in Potsdam. Those looking for a science center that not only shows science but makes it comprehensible will find a convincing example here of what modern knowledge transfer can look like.([nano-potsdam.de](https://nano-potsdam.de/en/about-us/educational-goals/))

Sources:

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviews

RW

Rachel Woodworth

7. August 2018

Had a fab visit here with the kids. The guys working there were very very helpful and friendly, explaining the exhibits in English and engaging well with the children. The exhibits are interesting and for the most part quite scientific! Our baby had a good crawl around in the play bit. It was all reasonably priced too. A good afternoon out!

AD

Andrei Dinu

12. November 2018

Amazing place for children, the only place where they could try everything on their own and no adult would be upset by that. The personnel was very friendly and helpful and they explained everything to the children and involved them in the activities requiring adult support. This place is a definite recommendation, one can also organise birthday parties here.

GS

Gadi Sh.

18. August 2016

Very nice place for Potsdam children to learn a lot of things by interaction. Do not try to come specially here from another city. We spent our time by reaching this place and waiting for something big... It is small. 1.5-2 hours for all stations.

LA

Logan A

13. September 2025

Small science center that was fun and hands on for the kids.

OC

OC

19. August 2018

Amazing staff. Very friendly, extremely helpful. You can spend minimum of 2 hours without noticing. This will be our regular visit spot in Potsdam.