Experiments for schoolgirls

As part of the Upper Franconian initiative "MUT-Girls and Technology", our popular autumn holiday activities for schoolgirls took place again on 2 and 3 November 2023. "On your marks - technology - go!" (from 10 to 14 years) and the "MINT Autumn University!" (from 15 to 19 years). A total of 37 participants from 18 schools travelled to the University of Bayreuth campus from all directions and from near and far (some from 300 km away). In 11 exciting hands-on workshops, the participants took on the role of scientists themselves and pursued research questions in the field of university STEM subjects. New and special this year was a workshop offered by the student counselling service for the older participants to provide better orientation in their own study and career choice process. It was once again a very successful event and we would like to thank all the workshop teams involved for their commitment, our participants for the many interesting questions and their enthusiasm and all the teachers and parents for their support with career guidance.

"How is a cup made from slip?"

In the laboratory, the participants made and glazed their own breakfast cup from slip using casting moulds, visited various kilns and learned how the material ceramic can be examined and tested using a scanning electron microscope. There was also other interesting information from the world of ceramics. (Chair of Ceramic Materials)

"Microplastics in the environment - small particles, big impact"

At the Collaborative Research Centre Microplastics, the participants learnt how microplastics get into our environment and how they are created there. They brought their own water sample and analysed it to find out whether microplastics are also present in their immediate environment. (SFB Microplastics)

"Discover the world of light"

How do scientists work with light in the laboratory? And how can light be studied at all? The participants found out together by carrying out exciting experiments with light. (Chair of Experimental Physics IX)

"Experience computer science"

"Titanic or AIDA cruise ship: we make ships sink"

Why do huge container ships float? Why did the Titanic sink? And why did the warship "Vasa" tip over on its very first voyage? The participants investigated these and other questions, made ships sink and found out whether the water level rises or falls in the process. (Chair of Experimental Physics XI and Didactics of Physics)

"Wonderful world of soap"

"Your own pocket warmer"

"From crystal to tensile test: hands-on materials science"

The participants produced an aluminium chess piece using the investment casting process with a wax model and slip coating, grew bismuth crystals, carried out material tests using a tensile test and discovered a fascinating world when looking into a scanning electron microscope. (Chair of Metallic Materials)

"It doesn't get any better than this - the optimisation lab"

"Expedition study choice: Your way through the jungle of possibilities"