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 with a thirst for knowledge and an interest 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 from 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 movement 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 MINT Summer School, which runs 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 adventure camp is organised primarily by a mechanical engineering student who wants to inspire more women to take an interest in scientific subjects and degree courses. To this end, she has enlisted the help of professors 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 far from dry and 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 will be 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, in cooperation with the Kisters Foundation in Kleve. During this workshop, which will take place from 18 to 20 July 2017, pupils will be able to 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.
