Around 120 pupils from grades 5 to 9 waited eagerly outside the doors of the Hermann-Blenk-Straße on 3rd of April to gain an interesting and practical insight into the topics of aviation and automotive engineering. As in previous years, we put together a varied programme: After a joint welcome in the NFF lecture hall by Prof. Dr. Sabine Langer, Head of the Institute of Acoustics and Dynamics, and an initial test of paper planes by Dr. Heiko Schwarz from the Institute of Flight Propulsion and Turbomachinery, the participants were divided into groups.
The older participants had the opportunity to get to know flight simulators better, learn about their practical use and even try to land an aircraft themselves for once. At the Institute of Flight Guidance (IFF), in addition to the simulator, pupils learned about efforts to achieve climate targets and about passenger and commercial air traffic.
An exhibition engine was used to actively explain its operation, wear and damage, and visitors learned about current research projects at the Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery (IFAS).
In a wind tunnel at the Institute of Fluid Mechanics (ISM), the pupils learned about experimental work as an engineer in aviation research by conducting their own tests.
The younger participants were introduced to the topic of “crash safety” at the Institute of Aircraft Design and Lightweight Construction (IFL). After learning the theory behind why airplanes are considered the safest form of transport, they had to put that knowledge to the test. A raw egg, representing a passenger, was lovingly personalised by the groups and had to be protected from a crash. The pupils were provided with various materials such as straws, bags, cardboard and tape to protect their egg.
Then it was time to find out: Which egg would survive a fall from a height of 7 metres!
We are delighted that the groups found their own creative ways to prevent their egg from breaking and that the constructions were able to at least partially protect the little passengers.
Another highlight was the joint breakfast break with the students of the NFF! We hope that all visitors had as much fun as we did and would like to thank everyone for their interest in our programme. Special thanks go to Heiko Schwarz, Thorsten Möller, Renato Lumia, Mats Overbeck, Lasse Kreuzeberg, Maximilian Friedrichs-Dachale and Tim Dohnalek for looking after the various groups and providing great insights into the world of aviation.
Click here to learn more about Girls’Day 2025 at TU Braunschweig.
Cluster of Excellence SE²A –
Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Aviation
Technische Universität Braunschweig
Hermann-Blenk-Str. 42
38108 Braunschweig
se2a(at)tu-braunschweig.de
+49 531 391 66661
