Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences has drawn positive conclusions following a successful girls’ adventure camp. As part of the Summer School, which took place from 21 to 25 August, schoolgirls at the Faculty of Technology and Bionics were inspired by the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and campus life.
During the final week of the summer holidays, a total of 18 schoolgirls proudly received their certificates of participation for the 2017 Girls’ MINT Summer School at Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences. The young participants had already enjoyed five exciting and informative days. From 21 to 25 August, the university opened its doors at the Kleve campus to the next generation of female students, offering interested schoolgirls aged 15 and over an insight into technical and scientific subjects and careers, as well as the chance to get a taste of university life. The experience camp, which was organised for the first time by Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences and was very well received by the organisers, lecturers and participants, is set to be offered again next year.
The young people, who had all voluntarily enrolled as ‘part-time students’ during their summer holidays, were introduced to the various STEM fields in a way that was tailored to their needs and focused on practical application. As well as learning how to use CAD and 3D printers, the programme also included programming a microcontroller-based alarm system using the C programming language, and gaining an understanding of Newtonian mechanics and its applications in engineering. The pupils also learnt how to identify textile materials under a microscope, to design a product creatively, to build a three-dimensional model of a mathematical function, and to understand a Stirling engine and dismantle it into its individual parts.
Phyllis Wamukore-Ndugire, herself a mechanical engineering student at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, set up the summer school to inspire schoolgirls to take an interest in STEM subjects. The programme was organised in collaboration with the zdi Centre ‘cleverMINT’ in the district of Kleve and with the support of the Faculty of Technology and Bionics. Several lecturers from Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences had agreed to deliver workshops and lectures specifically tailored to young female students for the various event formats.
As well as the practical seminars, the participants also gained an insight into student life; for example, they had lunch together in the canteen and were able to take part in a sports programme. A university guidance session rounded off the summer school at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. “The summer school really helped me find suitable degree programmes,” says school pupil Jule. “It was varied and never boring,” adds participant Lina. The young female students particularly appreciated the high practical component of the events, which were offered free of charge.
The Employment Agency and the Ministry of Science support such initiatives for in-depth career and study guidance through the regional zdi centres. The aim is to spark young people’s interest in and enthusiasm for scientific and technical subjects, as well as STEM degree programmes and vocational training.
