Zukunftstag

Today Jasmine participated in the Swiss national Zukunftstag ("future day") in Bern University of Applied Sciences. She made a printed circuit board that functioned as a thermometer and was very excited about it!

On Zukunftstag, many Swiss companies and organizations open up their doors to 5-7th graders so the kids can get a glimpse of different career options. It's somewhat similar to the "Take Your Kids to Work Day" in the US, but the focus here is to get the kids exposed to fields that are not traditionally associated with their genders.  Initially it was only for girls but had since evolved to include both genders.

I wish there were similar programs in the US.  Maybe there would be more female engineers then!

Jasmine made this PCB board in Zukunftstag.

Räbeliechtliumzug in Niederweningen

It was the annual Räbeliechtliumzug in Niederweningen. During the day, K-2 kids carved turnips and turned them into small candle-lit lanterns with the help of older kids. After the dark, the kids made an hour long parade in the village carrying their lanterns. Many villagers turned out to greet them along the way. It was very dark and there was an overwhelming sense of peace and magic when the kids walked down the country road in pairs, singing traditional songs in Swiss German.  One of the songs is "Rääbeliechtli, wo gahsch hii?"

It's such a nice tradition to grow up with!  Instead of Thanksgiving, the Swiss have Rääbeliechtli!  David did the same parades when he was little so we're glad that the kids get to experience it too.

More photos here: http://goo.gl/v3G7yh

Räbeliechtliumzug in Niederweningen - autumn walk with candle lights.

Niederhorn Paragliders

We visited Interlaken region today.  We drove past a number of beautiful lakes along the way.  We took a tram up to Niederhorn to have a panoramic view of the entire region - Jungfrau, Eiger were all in clear view at the top.  It was a bright, warm autumn day and many paragliders took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and flew all over the valley with snow capped mountains in the background.  They looked so graceful, carefree and happy!

View of paragliders at Niederhorn.