MINT Center meets MINT ambassadors

Six university employees rediscover their urge to play and experiment when Randolf Rotta, a computer scientist from BTU Cottbus, demonstrates how home-made mini-computers can be developed into quiz games with buzzers, simulations of bomb disposal, musical instruments and remote-controlled toy vehicles.

The topic of "Finding and promoting young STEM talent" is now occupying educational institutions and companies throughout Germany. At Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, there is even a "STEM Center" specifically for this purpose thanks to the "Diversity as a Strength" project. Its representatives were able to make valuable contacts with other players in this field at various STEM conferences at the end of last year.

This has now resulted in a workshop on "Building and programming mini-computers", which has helped the participating HSZG employees to come up with numerous ideas for the expansion and development of STEM stations.

The ideas gathered at the workshop are already being incorporated into the Neisse-Elektro, the student Olympics organized by the Department of Electrical Engineering, and the AG-Elektro.

Randolf Rotta, the workshop leader, was recently named STEM Ambassador of the Year at the 2017 STEM Future Conference for his commitment to STEM and his innovative STEM offerings, especially for children and young people. We would like to thank him for the countless inspirations and interesting conversations, look forward to future meetings and hope for further collaborations with him.