Our day started off with some information about scientific knowledge and scientific theories. We then got to do an interesting experiment:

We received a box filled with items, it was however taped shut, so we didn’t know anything about the contents. By carrying out various experiments, such as shaking it, using magnets, or wiretapping it with a stethoscope to detect sound, we then had to make assumptions based on our acquired data about what we thought was in the box. We presented our results to the class and the people who were closest were awarded a prize: free lunch in the Blinde Kuh.

By then, we were all already rather hungry. Due to the fact  that our little competition with the boxes had taken more time than originally planned , we had only about twenty minutes to individually go there. After we had arrived, (some later than others), we were greeted by a woman that instructed us to take off all our bags and everything that has a tendency to glow in the dark. Afterwards, two blind waiters arrived to lead us to our tables. We had to form groups and grab each othersshoulders. Then, we were led inside. First, we passed througha corridor with low lights so that our eyes could adjust to the darkness. We had to wait a few moments before going inside. When we were seated, it was an odd feeling. Whether you hadyour eyes open or closed didn’t matter. You had to search for your plate with your hands. Astonishingly, we didn’t break any dishes. The only way to identify our classmates was to listen to their voices. We all had a lot of fun. The food to was really good, as well. This certainly wasn’t an experience any of us will forget soon!

Feeling full after a good meal, we returned to the school. The second part of our day consisted of experiments to test our five senses. For example, our group received essential oils, each a different scent, as well as a piece of parmesan. At first, we told our test subjects, who had to shut their eyes, that the parmesan was very expensive and they rated it on pleasantness and intensivity. After doing the same with the essential oils, we once again gave them the same piece of parmesan, however this time we told the subjects that it was a piece of dried vomit. The results were mixed: some people recognized the piece of parmesan, others were affected by what we told them and thereby rated it lower than they initially had.

Sophie Bründl and Helin Cici, 5i