MINT - Trail

The students watched in amazement as a total of twelve different stations were set up last Monday, when a large contingent of university staff presented the MINT Mobility Trail at the Dresden-Bühlau High School.

The faculties of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and the Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences were on site with various activities. They primarily showed students in the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades how to program a smartphone app to control a lighting system, how wind energy is generated, and how an ATM recognizes which coins it has just accepted. In addition, interested high school students were able to try their hand at practical rapid blood-type testing or solder together a small electrical circuit on their own.

The stations along the MINT Mobility Trail gave the students a vivid impression of how closely content from STEM subjects is interwoven with all aspects of our lives and where it finds practical application in everyday life. College advisor Dietmar Rößler provided individual advice to those who wish to further develop their interest in technical and scientific fields of study, helping them choose the right degree program. Anyone who was still unsure about their interests could create their own interest profile using the college readiness assessment in the high school’s computer lab.

The event was a success for everyone involved. The students were able to gain insight into technology and the natural sciences beyond the scope of their school curriculum and learn about further educational opportunities after high school. The university had the opportunity to present itself to potential future freshmen as an excellent starting point for a successful career. The teachers at Dresden-Bühlau High School were also enthusiastic about the event format, so a repeat of the event will surely not be long in coming.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff and students involved who prepared this trail and made it a success!