Already at the beginning of May we used more resources in Germany than can grow back again. Earth Overshoot Day fell on May 4^th this year. In these times, young people, in particular, are moved by the question of what effects our lifestyle has on the global climate and how we can continue to live well on this planet. In the autumn holidays in Saxony, the TU Dresden, together with other partners, is therefore organizing a sustainability camp in Weißwasser for the first time and offers schoolgirls from grade 9 the opportunity to pursue this question for a week. The young people then exchange ideas with scientists and students who present current research projects.

Between game evenings and leisure activities, participants in workshops test ways of treating drinking water, try out conflict resolution strategies in the course of climate change adaptation through role-playing games and slip into the role of scientists in a drama play. From organic solar cells to hydrogen, the groups playfully deal with the issues of our time. Excursions, such as a visit to the Knappenrode energy factory, also focus on the industrial, social and ecological change processes, in particular the current structural change in the region.

Dr.Sylvi Bianchin, advisor for diversity management at the TU Dresden and co-organizer of the camp explains: “The aim of the camp is to use our scientists to convey knowledge about climate, resources and technologies in a playful way and encourage young women for the still male-dominated technical and scientific courses and professional fields. We do this by showing social connections. Because STEM is everywhere, whether it’s climate change or the corona pandemic. In our projects and concepts, we rely on interdisciplinary knowledge and show the participants how helpful it is to have a good basic understanding of STEM in order to help shape the world of tomorrow.”

At the TU Dresden there are numerous opportunities and projects, especially for girls and young women, to deal with STEM topics outside of school at an early stage. The aim is not only to inform young women about study opportunities and to support them during their studies, but also to arouse enthusiasm long before they start their studies.

The camp will be conducted in the German language.

More information: https://tu-dresden.de/uni-testen/herbstcamp

Contact:
Dr. Sylvi Bianchin
Advisor for Diversity Management

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