Student camp in July focuses on clean rooms, 3D printing, and quantum physics

From experiments in cleanrooms to experiments in quantum physics to escape rooms that require physics knowledge: At the upcoming "MINT-EC-Camp" on the campus of the Technical University of Kaiserslautern (TUK), modern physics is the focus of lectures and interactive seminars. 22 selected students will immerse themselves in the world of physics from July 5 to 8, 2022, gaining insights into research, exploring the study programs and university life, and conducting their own experiments. The camp is organized by the Department of Physics in collaboration with the PfalzMetall Foundation and the national excellence school network MINT-EC.

At the opening on July 5 at the Hohenstaufen Gymnasium in Kaiserslautern, Prof. Dr. Christiane Ziegler will introduce participants to the world of the tiniest particles: "small, smaller, nano" is the topic of her lecture. The following two days will take place entirely on the TUK campus. During this time, students will get to know modern physics in all its facets. After introductory lectures by Prof. Dr. Henning Fouckhardt on the fundamentals of laser technologies and by Prof. Dr. Georg von Freymann on sensors that operate based on quantum physics principles, seminars and experiments are scheduled. The young people will experiment with lasers, 3D printing, and magnets, deal with complex numbers and quantum physics, and familiarize themselves with working in a contamination-free cleanroom. Those who can solve physics puzzles will succeed in the student laboratory: here, an escape room scenario awaits the participants.

Beyond practical knowledge transfer, students at TUK also receive firsthand information about study options. During evening events, such as barbecues with the department on Wednesday, there is also the opportunity to casually converse with faculty and students.

The camp concludes on Friday with a presentation at the Hohenstaufen Gymnasium, where the youth will present their group results to an audience.

MINT-EC: The national excellence school network

MINT-EC is the national excellence network of schools with secondary level II and a pronounced profile in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology (STEM). It was founded in 2000 by employers and works closely with their regional educational initiatives. MINT-EC offers a broad range of events and support programs for students, as well as training and professional exchange for teachers and school leaders. The network, currently comprising 316 certified schools with around 336,000 students and 27,000 teachers, has been under the patronage of the Conference of Ministers of Education of the States (KMK) since 2009. Major sponsors of MINT-EC include the employer association Gesamtmetall within the framework of the think ING initiative, as well as the Siemens Foundation and the Bavarian employer associations vbm bayme and vbw.

About the PfalzMetall Foundation

The PfalzMetall Foundation is dedicated to four areas: science and research, education and upbringing, arts and culture, as well as youth and elderly assistance. The overarching goal of the foundation is to spark and maintain enthusiasm for STEM subjects — that is, mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology. For more information about the projects, visit www.stiftung-pfalzmetall.de.

Questions answered by:
Anett Fleischhauer
Dean of Physics
Tel.: 0631 205-5251
Email: afleisch[at]physik.uni-kl.de