A highlight on the Spree

As part of its dedicated efforts to promote STEM education and prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers, the HSZG had the opportunity to visit the DLR_School_Lab in Berlin and thereby further strengthen its partnership.

As part of the university administration’s ambitious strategic initiative for the “Oberlausitz Learning Hub for the Future—or ZukLOS for short” , the DLR_School_Lab at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences—which is set to open in early 2025 at the Mandauhöfe in Zittau—is taking shape and evolving into a valuable component of STEM education for young people. The establishment of the DLR_School_Lab at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences will not only lead to the development of exciting experiments designed to spark enthusiasm for mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology (STEM), but will also create opportunities to introduce young people to the diverse range of degree programmes offered by the university. In this way, the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences joins the ranks of prestigious scientific institutions that, through the DLR_School_Lab, take children and young people on an exciting journey of discovery into the world of scientific phenomena and technical innovations.

In this context, Prof. Sophia Keil, Vice President for Education and International Affairs, along with the highly motivated staff members Sebastian Riedel and Christian Tiller, visited the DLR_School_Lab Berlin from September 5 to 6, 2023. The purpose of this visit was to facilitate an in-depth exchange of experiences and to strengthen synergies between the locations. The DLR_School_Lab Berlin serves as a mentor for the Zittau location and acts as a reliable partner, particularly during the start-up phase.

The director of the DLR East site, Ms. Maria Dalaff, warmly welcomed the guests from Zittau and presented the main areas of research at the DLR sites in eastern Germany. Mr. Tobias Bohnhardt, the site director of the DLR_School_Lab Berlin, gave the visitors a personalized tour of the fascinating experiments and answered the many questions posed by the guests from Zittau.

During the meeting, in addition to discussing the current status of the DLR_School_Lab at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, there was also an opportunity to experience a selection of future student experiments at the Zittau site together with a school class. Under the expert guidance of experienced tutors, the young people were able to become researchers themselves and independently conduct exciting experiments directly related to current DLR research topics. Among other things, the students explored the effects of weightlessness on the human body, artificial photosynthesis using a Grätzel cell, and efficient heat storage.

A very special highlight was undoubtedly the opportunity to program humanoid robots’ movements and interactive capabilities. This experience vividly demonstrated the impressive possibilities in the fields of robotics and artificial intelligence.

Various experiments are currently planned at the DLR_School_Lab at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, including:

• Fuel Cells: Hydrogen as the Energy Source of the Future
• Weightlessness: Experiments in microgravity
• Vacuum: There is no air in microgravity
• Solar thermal energy: How the sun can shine for us even at night
• Grätzel cell: The future of solar cells?
• Photovoltaics: Sunny Prospects for Environmentally Friendly Energy
• Lightweight Construction: Working with Innovative Fiber-Reinforced Composite Materials

The next step involves procuring the planned experiments and setting up the DLR_School_Lab facilities at the Mandauhöfe in Zittau. The Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences (HSZG) will, of course, continue its intensive exchange with the DLR_School_Lab Berlin and further cultivate this valuable collaboration.

The current status of the Junior Academy’s development was shared on October 19, 2023, at the third workshop meeting with teachers from the schools and supporters of our university. In particular, the following key areas were discussed:

• The participatory design of the Zittau Junior Academy through comprehensive collaboration between teachers, professors, and lab staff at HSZG.
• Coordination regarding the planned implementation of an initial test phase for the teaching and learning programs.

As part of these discussions, future experiments—which will be closely aligned with the curriculum—were also explored, as well as the design of a practical, extracurricular learning environment.

The Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences would like to extend its sincere thanks to all participating teachers, staff members, and experts for the friendly and practical exchange and looks forward to continuing this collaboration in the future.