Gnome far from home in global gravity experiment

[Balingen, 25.07.2012] In recent months, the news of the exciting journey of KERN, the scientific garden gnome and his balance has reached almost 355 million people in 152 countries around the globe … … and has also been met with a lot of interest in the press: It was an overwhelming response for an experiment that was originally conceived as an educational aid for schools. With a purpose-designed measuring instrument (precision balance) and a transport medium suitable for the target group (KERN, the scientific garden gnome, teachers were given an ideal way to explain more easily the phenomenon of gravitational force having different strengths throughout the world. The idea caught on: The gnome experiment went from strength to strength in schools, to the point that it has become an integral part of classroom activities. Over and above the educational accolade, KERN, the scientific garden gnome has also received two very special awards: 1. TED.com TED is an American Organisation, whose aim is to publish new ground-breaking ideas worldwide. The so-called "talent search", which took place in London for Europe entries, attracted many thousands of ideas. KERN, the scientific garden gnome was selected as a particularly innovative way of explaining gravitational force in schools. There was also an invitation to present the scheme in London. James Nester and Albert Sauter from KERN & SOHN were pleased to accept this invitation. The presentation was recorded and broadcast. You can see an excerpt of the broadcast on the Organisation's website: talentsearch.ted.com/ 2. Cannes Lions The highest accolade in the field of communication is the "Cannes Lion". This accolade is awarded in 13 different categories for particularly outstanding communications ideas. In 2012, the KERN gnome experiment won two of these sought-after awards at the same time. Silver Lion in the "Direct" category Bronze Lion in the "Cyber" category You can see here a short film showing how KERN, the scientific gnome came to Cannes: www.creative-awards.co.uk Winning these prizes has been made possible through the excellent work of the OGILVYONE WORLDWIDE agency in London, with its Creative Director James Nester, who came up with the idea in the first place. And the travels of KERN the scientific garden gnome with his balance continue. Amongst others, there is the visit to the most northerly school in Europe in Longyearbyen auf Spitsbergen (Norway), a visit to the wondrous "Magnetic Hill" in the Ladakh area (India) as well as a parabola flight with NASA to simulate the weightlessness on the program. You can follow the experiment at any time on the specially designed website: www.gnomeexperiment.com. Contact at KERN: KERN & Sohn GmbH Albert Sauter Ziegelei 1 D-72336 Balingen albert-sauter@kern-sohn.com www.kern-sohn.com T:  +49 (0) 7433 9933 157 M: +49 (0) 172 941 4640