A student project group led by Professor Dr Dirk Bockmühl has won first prize for its ‘Escape Room’ initiative on the topic of household hygiene.
Since 2004, the annual ‘Sustainable Washing and Dishwashing’ campaign day has been taking place, featuring numerous activities across Germany. The main focus is on the exchange and sharing of knowledge and experience regarding sustainable practices in washing, dishwashing and cleaning. Behind this initiative is FORUM WASCHEN, a dialogue platform bringing together experts from public authorities, federal ministries, research institutions, trade unions, environmental organisations, consumer associations, universities and the manufacturing industry for detergents, cleaning products and household appliances. The aim of FORUM WASCHEN is to change the behaviour of consumers and industry with regard to sustainable consumption and production in relation to washing, dishwashing and cleaning in private households.
The wide range of events taking place on the campaign day are registered in advance with FORUM WASCHEN and coordinated by the organisation. The high level of commitment and the remarkable originality of the initiatives, which are planned and carried out on the organisers’ own initiative, are recognised with awards by a jury. Prizes are awarded in the categories of education, special target groups, public relations and originality. A total of 14 initiatives will be recognised. Three first prizes, six second prizes and five third prizes will be awarded.
For the second year running, Rhein-Waal University of Applied Sciences has won a first prize. For this year’s action day, a student project group led by Professor Dr Dirk Bockmühl, Professor of Hygiene and Microbiology, organised an ‘escape room’ (puzzle room) for students and school pupils on the topic of household hygiene. To escape the room, participants had to solve various puzzles. The scenario was based on a fictional outbreak of an infection causing vomiting and diarrhoea in a student flat-share. The participants were members of a so-called special task force tasked with identifying the pathogen. By solving various puzzles, the players received individual clues which, when pieced together, led to the ‘key’ needed to leave the room. The tasks included, amongst other things, aspects such as the selection of cleaning products, resource-efficient cleaning, reducing food waste and preventing illness by adhering to hygiene standards. “We are once again delighted to have won first prize. It shows us that our degree programme takes a practical approach to addressing current issues,” said Bockmühl, commenting on the award.
