Girls’Day 2026: A Day at the University with Photogrammetry, Geosensor Systems, and Earth System Research

On April 23, 2026, the Chair of Photogrammetry, the Junior Chair of Geosensor Systems, and the Chair of Geodetic Earth System Research at TU Dresden participated in the nationwide Girls’Day 2026 event. The aim of the event was to provide young girls with a stereotype-free career orientation and to offer insights into innovative professional fields that break away from traditional role models.

The profession of a surveyor is not typically among the classic top ten career choices for girls. However, it combines modern technology with exciting outdoor work and integrates scientific thinking, creativity, and teamwork. This makes it a varied alternative for girls interested in STEM subjects. Those who appreciate precise work and want to explore the world will find surveying a fulfilling and versatile occupation. Moreover, this field offers excellent future prospects, as skilled professionals are in high demand.

Dr. Katja Richter convinced the participants of these advantages during this year’s event. As an experienced surveyor and research associate, she has been conducting research at TU Dresden for over 15 years and serves as a convincing example that women and girls can be successful beyond traditional roles.

Nine female students from grades 7 and 8 took part in the workshop “Discover the World of Surveying – Become a World Measurer!”. With practical insights into her daily work, Dr. Katja Richter sparked the girls’ interest in surveying. The participants had the opportunity to:

• try out modern 3D measurement technology themselves,
• create a digital 3D model of themselves, and
• experience the working methods of surveyors up close.

Kora Heidrich-Meisner from the Chair of Geodetic Earth System Research gave the students fascinating insights into the chair’s Antarctic expeditions. She demonstrated how researchers measure ice masses in one of the world’s most extreme environments to understand climate change and secure the future of our planet. These impressions will surely remain unforgettable for the girls.

“We are pleased that through our participation in Girls’Day, we were able to inspire young girls for the diverse world of surveying and introduce them to the impressive opportunities in geodesy. Who knows – maybe some of the participants will decide to pursue a career as a surveyor in the future,” said Dr. Katja Richter about Girls’Day.