“Ready, Set, Tech!” & “STEM Autumn Uni!” 2025 at the University of Bayreuth

This year, we were delighted to welcome 66 participants from across Upper Franconia and beyond to the University of Bayreuth campus. In a wide range of exciting hands-on workshops, the participants became young researchers themselves, exploring current and fascinating questions in the fields of STEM subjects taught at university. They experimented, filtered, pipetted, measured, soldered, programmed, calculated, cast, examined under microscopes – and much more. Older participants also had the opportunity to attend a self-assertion course in cooperation with Avalon Bayreuth e.V. and to develop strategies for their future career or study choices in workshops offered by the Central Student Advisory Service.

Feedback from participants, parents and workshop teams was once again overwhelmingly positive, showing that everyone involved gained new insights and experiences while having plenty of fun.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all workshop teams for their fantastic commitment and to our participants for their many interesting questions and their enthusiasm!

Our workshops included:

"Microplastics – Harmless Particles or Invisible Danger?”

What happens when plastic enters nature? It doesn’t just stay put… How does microplastic form and find its way into our environment – and what impact does it have on creatures like water fleas, our tiny environmental detectives? Participants discovered all this and more – and why it’s so important to learn about it. (CRC Microplastics)

"Why Doesn’t the Polar Bear Freeze?”

Participants explored this and other fascinating questions! They calibrated their own thermometers and carried out measurements. Finally, they made “heat” visible using a special camera. Experiments took place at the TAO-SFZ of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences. (TAO-SFZ; Chair of Technical Thermodynamics and Transport Processes)

“Tracking Down Chance!”

Under guidance, participants soldered their own electronic random generator and then tested it in an experiment to see how chance could make them winners. (Chair of Mechatronics)

“Is There a Model for That? Maths with a Twist”

School maths often focuses on equations, numbers and calculations. But the real strength of mathematics lies elsewhere: it can create models for all kinds of real-life situations. Participants explored how we use maths to better understand everyday life – and discovered an exciting new side to the subject. (Chair of Applied Mathematics)

“Dancing on the Volcano”

What does the inside of a volcano look like? What happens when it erupts? And why does it erupt at all? Participants delved into the world of volcanology, modelling their own volcano with the GeoWindow and experimenting to answer these thrilling geographical questions! (Chair of Geography Education)

“Code Your Own Video Game!”

In this workshop, participants learned step by step how to create their first small video game using Scratch. No prior knowledge was needed – just curiosity and creativity! (Game Innovation Lab)

“How Does Slip Become a Cup?”

In the lab, participants used slip and casting moulds to create their own breakfast cup, visited different kilns and learned how ceramic materials are examined using a scanning electron microscope. They also discovered more fascinating facts about the world of ceramics. (Chair of Ceramic Materials)

“Why Is Glass Transparent? And How Does Colour Get Into Glass?”

From window panes to bottles to smartphone screens – glass is everywhere. Participants learned why glass is transparent while metals are not, and how glass is melted at very high temperatures. They even designed their own coloured glass pane. (Glass Key Lab)

“Light: Sun, Lamps and Lasers”

Light helps us see and provides clean solar energy. In this workshop, participants investigated the properties of light: What distinguishes different light sources, such as LEDs and sunlight, and what makes laser light unique? They built a lightsaber, examined glowing liquids and explored mini-lasers and solar cells under a light microscope. (Chair of Experimental Physics VIII)

“Insights into Biochemistry – From Gene to Protein”

This interactive workshop gave participants an understanding of how genetic information leads to the formation of proteins with diverse structures and vital functions. Through practical exercises and molecular modelling, they explored how amino acid sequences determine protein folding and how structure relates to biological function – highlighting the importance of proteins for health, disease and biotechnology. (Chair of Protein Design)

“From Crystal to Tensile Test”

Participants produced an aluminium chess piece using the investment casting process with wax models and slip coating, grew bismuth crystals, carried out tensile tests and discovered a fascinating world through the scanning electron microscope. (Chair of Metallic Materials)

“Safe with AI”

How does generative AI like ChatGPT actually work? What opportunities and risks come with using AI? And when is AI assistance in school contexts acceptable – what counts as support, and what as cheating or plagiarism? Through practical exercises, participants explored these and other questions. (Chair of Information Systems)

“Study Choice Expedition: Your Path Through the Jungle of Possibilities”

Participants embarked on an exciting journey towards their dream degree programme and developed strategies to navigate the dense jungle of study options. They also received useful tools to support their decision-making. (Central Student Advisory Service)

“Strong. Clear. Confident. – Self-Assertion and Self-Defence for Young Women”

Feeling safe – at school, university, on the street or online? In this workshop, participants learned about their strengths, how to set boundaries clearly, assert themselves verbally and remain capable of action in difficult situations. (Avalon Bayreuth e.V.)