Inspiring the next generation to take an interest in STEM subjects as early as possible—that is the mission Professor Frank Schrödel and his team have made their own. In early summer, he organized exciting “Research Days” on campus for interested kindergarten graduation groups from the Schmalkalden-Meiningen district. During these events, the children had the opportunity to conduct experiments with water-jet rockets, program robots, and explore plastics technology.
The event concluded with a Research Day at the “Haseltal” daycare center in Steinbach-Hallenberg. Prof. Frank Schrödel and Luise Merbach from the Student Research Center led hands-on activities for 27 children at four stations: At the first station, the children could operate and program mini-robots. The children could write their names, and the robot would drive along the path of the letters. The robot’s path was programmed using small colored stickers—for example, red, blue, and red—and the robot would race along at rocket speed. Those who didn’t want to write had puzzle pieces and could put together their own path.
The second station focused on the topic of sustainability. Here, there was a memory game featuring items that had ended up in nature by mistake: plastic bottles in the grass, and so on. At the same time, images such as a running faucet and similar scenes were displayed, which quickly sparked conversations about environmental awareness and sustainability.
At the third station, there was a little bag filled with animals—the children had to reach in with their eyes closed, pull something out, and then name the animal. Luise Merbach explained to the curious children why insects are so important and urgently needed by nature. The children were also able to try on glasses that mimic a bee’s vision.
Portable microscopes were available at the fourth station. The children could collect small items from the garden and examine surfaces like wood under the microscope.
There was a lot of activity at the preschool all morning, and even the younger children joined in and wanted to take part in the activities.