Doing research like the pros Successful conclusion for three years of the research club "changING" in the Cluster of Excellence SE²A
At the end of their research year, celebrations were held: around 60 students of the research club “changING” of the Cluster of Excellence SE²A – Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Aviation – at TU Braunschweig received a certificate and much recognition for their dedicated performance. Professor Rolf Radespiel, Head of the Institute for Fluid Mechanics at TU Braunschweig and Vice-Speaker of the Cluster of Excellence SE²A, was impressed by the projects presented at the Institute for Fluid Mechanics at Braunschweig Research Airport after a short speech during the graduation ceremony.
Project idea for a delivery drone. Photo credit: SE²A
For instance, young researchers showed a drone engine they had built at the Institute of Flight Guidance at TU Braunschweig. Another group had designed and 3D-printed an aerofoil, which will be used to carry out lift measurements in the next “changING” research year. “It is impressive how deeply the students immerse themselves in research,” says Dr Anne Geese, research associate at the Institute of Science Education at TU Braunschweig.
There are now three “changING” years. The first year started in 2019. Almost every fortnight, except during the holidays, the pupils, most of whom attend Braunschweig grammar schools and comprehensive schools from grade 10, meet in the research club. There they can experiment and gain exciting insights into research for sustainable aviation. The programme is varied: exercises, project work and digital workshops in the areas of acoustics, simulation, programming and design invite them to try things out.
Impressed by the projects in the research club: Professor Rolf Radespiel, Head of the Institute of Fluid Mechanics at TU Braunschweig. Photo credit: Tatjana Szalkau/TU Braunschweig
Despite the Corona pandemic, the organising team once again managed to keep the “changING” research club going regularly – either in person or virtually. Among other things, the students were able to visit the cockpit simulator at the Institute of Flight Guidance in small groups. In virtual workshops, they delved into programming and conducted acoustic measuring experiments during a “soundwalk” in the fresh air.
Students from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering accompany the “changING” groups as mentors when, for example, they go to the Research Airport, the DLR_SchoolLab and one of the institutes of the Cluster of Excellence. “The commitment in the institutes is high. The pupils don’t just look over the scientists’ shoulders. They can experiment and work on projects independently. That’s what defines the quality of the changING research club,” explains M.Sc. Dina Al-Kharabsheh, research associate at the Institute of Science Education at TU Braunschweig.
A certificate at the end of the research year: pupils of the research club. Photo credit: Tatjana Szalkau/TU Braunschweig
The changING research club is recognised by the schools as a school club and also offers the opportunity to write research papers under supervision. The research club aims to strengthen interest in STEM courses and technical topics, especially among girls. Another important concern is to present the diversity of the engineering profession as well as the range of research in the Cluster of Excellence SE²A.
The next research year starts after the autumn holidays for all “changING” years, including the new grade 10 year. More information about the research club at: https://www.tu-braunschweig.de/se2a-changing or via Instagram.
