Inspiring the next generation of problem solvers!

SE²A Girls’ Day a Great Success Again

About 120 students from grades 5 to 9 gathered at the Campus Research Airport for hands-on insights into aviation and automotive engineering on this year's Girls' Day! After a joint welcome by Prof. Dr. Federica Ferraro & Dr. Heiko Schwarz (Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery) and Nadine Pieper (NFF CEO), participants split into groups with various topics to discover!
 

Our highlights this year:
 

• Landing an aircraft in our flight simulators! 
  At the Institute of Flight Guidance, pupils took control, learned about climate-target efforts in air traffic, and even tried themselves landing a plane.
   
• Experiments with turbines and wind tunnels! 
  At the Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery, pupils located tiny damage on an exhibition engine and explored current research projects. In the wind tunnel of the Institute of Fluid Mechanics, they designed and tested their own experiments - including paper-plane trials.
   
• Protecting a raw egg from a 7 meter drop! 
  At the Institute of Aircraft Design and Lightweight Structures, younger students personalized an egg “passenger” and built crash-safety devices from straws, cardboard, film, and tape. Creative constructions saved many little passengers, who even got names.
   
• Career insights and mastering paper planes! 
  Prof. Dr. Federica Ferraro shared her path to becoming a researcher, while Dr. Heiko Schwarz tested professional paper-plane design techniques together with the participants.

The day was rounded off by the changING Team Anja Müller-Brandes and Hamza Touati, who presented the SE²A research club for pupils and encouraged everyone to follow their passion in STEM!

We had a fantastic time and hope our scientific curiosity inspired every visitor. Special thanks to all guides from our involved institutes for bringing the world of aviation to life!

The next Girls' Day will take place on April 22, 2027. More information here.