_{Author: Sebastian Sotero}

Getting young people excited about the technical world of work, promoting skills and easing the transition from school to university or vocational training in the region: that is the mission of the Deutsche Telekom Stiftung Junior Engineer Academy. The lighthouse project aims to permanently advance technology education in schools through a two-year elective subject, also with TUD Dresden University of Technology at Ehrenfried-Walther-Tschirnhaus-Gymnasium Dresden (EWvT) since 2022.

In the 2022/2023 school year, TUD researchers designed the new profile lessons for selected grade 8 students at the Dresden high school. Curriculum-integrated lectures, workshops, excursions and a block week on campus provided the 28 participants with practical insights into the world of engineering sciences. The school's self-chosen focus is microelectronics, in order to provide a regional anchor and incorporate the thriving business environment in the Silicon Saxony network into the teaching formats.

The first year of specialized teaching was made possible by the school's dedicated teachers as well as enthusiastic staff and students from the School of Engineering Sciences at the TU Dresden. Dr. Toni Müller, supervising teacher at EWvT: "It's great for us to have so many different engineering fields on our doorstep. This makes it possible to offer a completely different kind of teaching. It also gives the students an excellent insight into what university research can mean."

The hands on oriented classes has been well received by the target group. Nora Eger, a student at the EWvT: "We especially enjoyed it when we were able to get active ourselves, like with 3D printing and building circuits in electrical engineering. But also the look into the labs was exciting."

The TU Dresden will continue to support the academy in the coming years as a permanent cooperation partner of the school. At the university, there are already numerous opportunities and projects to get involved with STEM topics at an early stage, even outside of school. The goal is to use targeted offerings to generate enthusiasm far before any studies, to advocade inclusion, and to counteract the shortage of skilled workers in STEM professions.

Further information:
https://www.telekom-stiftung.de/aktivitaeten/junior-ingenieur-akademie

Contact:
TUD / School Contact Office
Nadja Bauer