Hands-On Science: A Day as a Young Researcher at BRICS

Wissenschaft zum Anfassen: Ein Tag als Nachwuchsforscher*in am BRICS

How should I shape my future? Is college or an apprenticeship the right choice for me? What career do I even want to pursue? These are questions that likely occupy the minds of most students. Every year, “Girl’s/Boy’s Day” is held to address these questions. On this day, young people get the chance to try out different careers to gain a deeper insight into potential professions. For this year’s “Girl’s/Boy’s Day” on 16 April 2026, the BRICS (Braunschweig Integrated Centre of System Biology) also opened its doors.

This year’s Future Day at BRICS was a huge success. Together with the groups led by Rebekka Biedendieck, Katrin Dohnt, and Thekla Cordes, co-founders of the BRICS Women Network, 12 high school students gained exciting insights into the research conducted at the Institutes of Microbiology, Bioprocess Engineering, and Bioinformatics and Biochemistry.

As part of an interdisciplinary program, participants were able to, among other things, assemble a bioreactor, visualize the effectiveness of hand hygiene in detecting bacteria, and purify fluorescent proteins. A special highlight was glowing bacteria from the deep sea, which further fueled the students’ enthusiasm for science.

The program was complemented by a campus tour of TU Braunschweig, featuring insights into the university library and historic buildings. The day concluded with a group lunch in the cafeteria, offering numerous opportunities for interaction.

The event was characterized by a high level of interaction and the successful collaboration of several institutes, underscoring the importance of interdisciplinary science education.