Experimental box instead of dull theory "changING Regio": Schoolgirls from Niedersachsen experiment in the research club of the SE²A Cluster of Excellence
“changING Regio” is the name of the latest project of the changING research club in the SE²A – Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Aviation – Cluster of Excellence at Technische Universität Braunschweig. “We are giving schoolgirls from the region and beyond the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of sustainable aviation research,” says Dr Dina Al-Kharabsheh from the Institute for Didactics of Natural Sciences (IFdN).
Tessa Horenburger (left) and Dr Dina Al-Kharabsheh from the Institute for Didactics of Natural Sciences at TU Braunschweig pack the experiment kits for the pupils taking part in the “changING Regio” research club. Photo credit: Anna Geese/TU Braunschweig
In addition to the “changING” research club in Braunschweig, the hybrid format “changING Regio” has been running since February. 19 pupils in grades 11 and 12 from the region between Schöppenstedt and Osnabrück, Bad Harzburg and Lüneburg are taking part. They received an experiment box in the post beforehand. The young women meet online once a week to experiment and learn more about the working world of engineers and researchers.
Each meeting is led by one of the institutes involved in the excellence cluster. The scientific staff focus on interactive work rather than dull theory. “The quality of changING is demonstrated by the fact that the pupils discover their skills in their research projects and are able to solve complex tasks independently,” says Dr Anne Geese, who is also a researcher at the IFdN.
Experiments with a microcontroller-operated robot
The pupils started by experimenting with a microcontroller-operated robot. “The intensive preparations and our experience from the research clubs in recent years are paying off,” says Dr Anne Geese. “In the time of the coronavirus, we had to organise chanGING online and hybrid. Together with the institutes, we developed exciting formats that we can now continue to use.”
But video meetings are not the only option. In April, the 19 girls will travel to Braunschweig for four days. There they will get to know the university, the changING team and each other personally. The programme includes experiments in the wind tunnel, creative work in the MakerSpace and visits to the institutes and laboratories of the cluster of excellence. They will be accompanied by female students who will not only tell them interesting facts about studying at TU Braunschweig, but also act as role models.
Pupil Sophie Duong from the “changING Regio” research club not only likes to read, but also to experiment, like here with the microcontroller-operated robot. Photo credit: Sophie Duong/changING
“changING Regio” is funded by the SE²A Cluster of Excellence in the area of gender equality. IFdN researchers are providing scientific support for the project. changING aims to increase interest in STEM studies and technical subjects, especially among girls. “Some of the girls are already enthusiastic about technology, others are open-minded but still unsure whether a STEM degree programme is right for them. This is where the research club can provide guidance and bring out hidden talents,” says Dr Dina Al-Kharabsheh.
