"I really have to tell my colleague about this", "I wouldn't have thought that there was something like this at Aalen University of Applied Sciences" or "Great, this combination of technician and design" - these were typical reactions from the teachers. Last Monday, the explorhino Science Center opened its doors to interested teachers of STEM subjects from the fifth grade upwards. Particularly noteworthy was the offer from Prof. Martin Pietzsch and Prof. Dr. Volker Knoblauch, both professors in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science. Pietzsch shone both as a host and as a talk; lecture as part of the "Product Development" program. He presented the diverse possibilities of technical design and the makerspace at Aalen University of Applied Sciences. In addition to an informative themed table, a workshop in the Makerspace invited visitors to experience technicians and design up close. Knoblauch presented an exciting themed table on materials science with a focus on Chemistry, Physics, Engineering and Natural Sciences and offered a lab tour.
During the workshop by Pietzsch, the Head /Director of the Makerspace, the enthusiasm was great: he vividly explained the Fraternities and sororities/clubs and demonstrated the possibilities of prototyping. The feedback was consistently positive, even teachers without a direct connection to the topic were enthusiastic. Pietzsch, who teaches in the Bachelor's program "Mechanical Engineering / Development: Design and Simulation" in the special field of "Technical Design" and lectures in the masters/master's programme "Lightweight Construction", inspired the teaching staff with his workshop. The practical work in the makerspace, in which the participants made a laser-cut pen box to take home as a souvenir, attracted a lot of attention.
Together with Felix Trauter, Knoblauch, Director of the Institute of Chemistry; 130 (IMFAA) and Vice President for Research, designed a themed table on materials science related to chemistry, physics, technology and natural sciences. Knoblauch lectures on the Bachelor's degree programme "Materials for Sustainability" and the Master's degree programme "Advanced Materials and Manufacturing". During the laboratory tours, the teaching staff were presented with exciting opportunities for cooperation, for example in the field of battery technology with a strong focus on electrochemistry or in the field of magnetism. This provided an excellent opportunity to highlight the diverse interfaces between the disciplines and the importance of materials science for current and future technologies. The focus was on the interdisciplinary approach, which was also reflected in the guided tour of the Department, Institute of Materials Science.
Pietzsch and Knoblauch presented the extensive range of activities offered by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science at the explorhino Science Center and impressively demonstrated the cooperation opportunities for teachers and schools.
The event (allgemein) emphasized how explorhino and the institution of higher Applied Sciences in Aalen can provide valuable impulses for 1. class; lesson (Unterricht). Experiencing School of Engineering and design in a practical way fascinated all participants and strengthened the role of the institution of higher education as a driving force for technological and creative education.
