Electrical Engineering and Information Technology

Fans built using soldering irons and 3D printers were in high demand. © Daphne Heil

At “Labs on Tour,” students had the opportunity to learn about and try out electrical engineering for themselves. For the first time, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology participated with its Heureka learning lab, demonstrating how exciting technology can be when students experiment on their own.

First experiences with a soldering iron, a circuit board they assembled themselves, a hand-soldered LED keychain: For many students, “Labs on Tour” brought electrical engineering to life. This project by RWTH Aachen University brings science and technology topics directly to schools, enabling young people to gain hands-on experience with STEM subjects through extracurricular clubs.

This school year, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology participated in the program for the first time. Heureka Learning Lab staff members organized a soldering workshop focused on hands-on work and firsthand experience.

“I really liked the students’ explanations. I enjoyed how playful the experiments were,” said Carina, a student from Aachen, who particularly remembers the soldering and 3D printing.

The Heureka Learning Lab takes exactly this approach. In workshops held regularly at institutes and academic departments, students gain insights into the diverse fields of electrical engineering and information technology—from micro- and nanotechnology to energy engineering. Through experiments and projects of their own, students learn to understand and connect complex technical concepts to their everyday lives.

Welcoming the participants at the closing event of “Labs on Tour” at the Physics Center of RWTH Aachen. © Heike Lachmann

At the closing event for this year’s “Labs on Tour,” approximately 150 guests gathered at the Physics Center at RWTH Aachen University. In addition to students and their families, teachers and RWTH staff also attended.

„“The closing event gives the students the opportunity to experience the university up close, reconnect with their mentors, and show their families what they’ve experienced and learned in the club,” says Maria Hinkelmann, a research assistant in the Physics Department at RWTH Aachen University.

“Labs on Tour” is aimed at seventh- and eighth-grade students. RWTH students and staff bring workshops from various departments directly into the schools’ afternoon programs. In addition to electrical engineering and information technology, the extracurricular program includes physics, biology, mathematics, materials science, and mechanical engineering, among other subjects. The goal is to reduce reservations about technical and scientific topics and to foster interest in STEM subjects.

Supporting the next generation is an important part of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology’s work. Programs like “Heureka” show young people the importance of electrical engineering and information technology in everyday life, science, and society from an early age. At the same time, students gain insight into future study opportunities and various career fields.

The faculty staff is looking forward to continuing to guide young people in exploring technical topics as part of “Labs on Tour” next year again.

More information about the Heureka Learning Lab and “Labs on Tour” is available online.