Energy camp at the Knappenrode energy factory
Extracurricular education with an experiential focus.
This year, the Energy Camp took place for the first time from July 18 to 22 on the grounds of the Energiefabrik Knappenrode (near Hoyerswerda). In cooperation with the three partners Uni im Grünen e.V. (organizer), the Knappenrode Energy Factory, and the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences , 21 eighth-grade students enjoyed an engaging experience centered on the topic of energy. What made this experience special was that the students worked on tasks of their own choosing, tailored to their interests. As a result, the camp flew by as they:
- calculating how far an arrow could fly with the bow they were testing,
- an introduction to scientific methods,
- the pros and cons of various energy sources,
- Calculating the energy balance of the camp meals they prepared themselves,
- Building and understanding how a solar island system works,
- Energy-efficient cooking with a cooking box,
- Energy in Food: Calorie Measurement and Burn Rate,
- Campfire experiments: “How much energy is in a gummy bear?”
The students worked in four groups on research questions they had formulated themselves, receiving guidance and support from HSZG staff under the academic supervision of Prof. Stefan Kornhuber (Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science) and Robert Viertel (Office of Education).
On the final day, the students presented the results of their research questions:
- How can electricity be generated using water?
- Where does the sun’s energy come from, and how do we use it?
- What are our bodies’ energy needs?
- Which countries generate energy in the most sustainable way?
In addition to the summer camp atmosphere (the kids slept in tents and cooked over a campfire), the supporting program for this project week also included an excursion following in the footsteps of the Lausitz wolves, a nighttime guided tour of the exhibitions at the Energiefabrik, exciting conversations around the campfire, soccer, and lots of games.
- the Knappenrode Energy Plant as the host,
- Christoph Lehmann (master’s student in Mechanical Engineering) and Timon Conrad (diploma student in Mechanical Engineering) from HSZG, who worked tirelessly to bring this pilot project to fruition, provided technical guidance to the young people on site, and conducted exciting experiments,
- Colleague Felix Rothe (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering), who conducted experiments on renewable energy sources with the young people,
- Rector Prof. Kratzsch, who spontaneously scheduled a brief visit, and
- the “Uni im Grünen e.V.” association, along with Thomas and Octavio, who skillfully supervised the young people, set up the camp, prepared meals, and led everyday experiments.
It has now been decided: due to the demand and the positive feedback from all those involved, the energy camp in Knappenrode will be offered twice in 2022:
- May 30 to June 3, 2022 - Energy camp as a project week for a school class from grade 8 upwards
- October 22 to 28, 2022 - "Climate Action Camp & Energy" vacation camp for interested children & young people
2nd upper floor
1st floor
The Knappenrode Energy Camp is an event organized as part of the MINOS project, which is funded by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research. The event received financial support from the Lausitz Seenland Foundation.
