No fewer than two events are on offer at the Kleve campus of Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences during the summer holidays for school pupils who are keen to learn and interested in the natural sciences.
The MINT Summer Workshop will take place from 17 to 20 July 2017. Every day from 9.00 am to 2.00 pm, pupils in Years 9 to 13 can immerse themselves in the world of bionics at the ‘Energy’ pupil laboratory at the zdi Centre at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. Bionics draws inspiration from materials and structures found in nature and applies them to modern technology. This is exactly what participants will have the chance to try out for themselves during the workshop. Guided by experts from Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, they will build a fish robot whose propulsion system is modelled on that of real fish. This offers not only fascinating insights into biology, but also into mechatronics, electronics and engineering.
“Girls only!” is the motto of the STEM Summer School, taking place from 21 to 25 August 2017, from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm each day, for schoolgirls aged 15 and over. The five-day hands-on camp is being organised primarily by a mechanical engineering student who wants to inspire more women to take an interest in science-related subjects and degree courses. To this end, she has enlisted the help of lecturers from the Faculty of Technology and Bionics, who – through lectures and workshops – not only provide insights into their work and the subject areas, but also demonstrate that science is by no means dry or boring. For example, participants will learn that maths plays an important role in origami, what a 3D printer is capable of, and how submarines are modelled on fish. The participants are supported by other female students from the Faculty of Technology and Bionics, who will act as tutors during this summer school.
Participation in both events is free of charge. Registrations are being taken by Martina Bracht-Nienaber (email: zdi-kleve@hochschule-rhein-waal.de) at the zdi Centre in the District of Kleve.
In addition, anyone interested can register for another STEM workshop organised by the zdi Centre in the District of Kleve, which is being run in cooperation with the Kisters Foundation in Kleve. During this workshop, taking place from 18 to 20 July 2017, pupils can learn the basics of metalworking each morning from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm and build an aluminium key rack as part of the workshop.
