New DLR_School_Lab Opens at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences

On May 15, 2025, a significant milestone for extracurricular STEM education (science, computer science, nature sciences, and technology) in Upper Lusatia was reached at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences: With the ceremonial opening of the new DLR_School_Lab at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, the university, in collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), is launching an innovative extracurricular learning center for students.

The new 350-square-meter DLR_School_Lab at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences is located in the Mandau-Höfe in Zittau—a modern center for business, research, and education. The goal of the new student lab is to inspire young people’s interest in science, technology, and research at an early age and to highlight new educational opportunities in the region.

Around 300 guests attended the opening, including 100 invited dignitaries from politics, science, and society, as well as teachers from regional schools and 200 students from both K-12 and higher education.

In her welcoming remarks, the Chairwoman of the Executive Board of the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, emphasized:

Prof. Dr. rer. pol. Sophia Keil, Vice President for Research, Knowledge Transfer, and International Affairs at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, also emphasizes the importance of this:

The Saxon State Secretary for Science, Prof. Dr. Heike Graßmann, adds:

A highlight of the event was the guest lecture by ESA astronaut Dr. Gerhard Thiele, who captivated the audience with fascinating insights into his space mission. Afterward, students presented the scientific experiments to the guests at the DLR_School_Lab at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. Over the past few days, they had tested the experiments together with the HSZG mentor team and now confidently led the expert-level introduction themselves. Guided tours and a group wrap-up on campus rounded out the day.

The new school laboratory offers pupils in grades five to twelve a wide range of exciting experiments, particularly in the STEM subjects of physics, chemistry and biology. Highlights include:

• Experiments with heat pumps, in a vacuum and in a wind tunnel to explore physical processes.
• Chemical experiments involving luminescence, such as those used in forensic investigations.
• Biological experiments on sensory perception and the production of alternative materials from renewable raw materials, including the use of a fluorescence microscope.

Friederike Ogorek is part of the team of mentors who will be supervising the school classes in their experiments in future. The molecular biotechnology student emphasizes:

With the new DLR_School_Lab—the 17th in Germany—Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences becomes part of a high-caliber network of extracurricular learning centers. Particularly noteworthy: It is the first DLR_School_Lab to be established in cooperation with a university of applied sciences (HAW). In doing so, the DLR and the HSZG jointly underscore the importance of hands-on science education—right at the heart of regional education and research development.

The student lab is part of the strategic educational initiative “Zukunftslernort Oberlausitz” (ZukLOS) at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. Funded with PMO funds from the assets of political parties and mass organizations of the former GDR, an innovative learning space is being created here that inspires young people to pursue the natural sciences, opens up new perspectives, and helps ensure a supply of skilled workers in the region.