► Social Impact Festival 2024: DIY ecosystems in a jar
Impact Learning (SQM-funded) connects the university and society. We support students in the solution of real-world challenges within their studies, together with partners from academia, industry and civil society. Through this, a positive societal effect (= Impact), oriented to TU Braunschweig’s transfer strategy and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the UN, can arise.
In impact learning, practice partners are integrated into the curriculum. In impact courses with impact projects and at the meeting point "Wissenskiosk" students collaborate with practice partners, apply their knowledge in a practical setting, and engage with real-world questions and perspectives.
To ensure the collaboration succeeds, we support the process – with financial project funding, the Sandkasten platform with personal coaching, digital tools, the Impact Week and offerings for skills development.
Because: 66.7 % of students wished for more practical relevance in their studies (student survey “How are you?”, 2022).
• Sustainable Entrepreneurship |Institute of Automotive Management and Industrial Production by Prof. Dr. Kindermann
• Financial knowledge for everyone | Institute of Finance by Julia Eckert
• Impact Learning: Digitalization and sustainability | Institute for Business Informatics by Prof. Robra-Bissantz
• Impact Learning: Digitalization, AI and learning | Institute for Business Informatics by Prof. Robra-Bissantz
• Digital transformation: cooperation | Institute for Business Informatics by Prof. Robra-Bissantz
• Strategic Brand Management | Institute of Marketing by Prof. Dr. Woisetschläger & Dr. Gurzki
• Aesthetic Language Support | Institute for German Studies by Elena Kammerer
• Master’s Project Module (PMA) | GHR teacher education by Dr. Wiedenroth-Gabler
• Support for organizational learning (A3) | Institute for Educational Sciences by Prof. Dr. Graube
• Get Active Now – Practical Perspectives on Development Cooperation | Institute for Sociology by Prof. Dr. Zimmermann
• Introductory Swimming | Institute of Sports Science and Movement Pedagogy by Tanja Aulich
Students implement practice-oriented impact projects as part of courses, in which theoretical content is applied in concrete ways. The aim is to generate societal impact - socially, ecologically and/or economically sustainable.
The projects are developed in cooperation with practice partners. Students receive ECTS credits for their project work and presentations and have the opportunity to engage actively with societal challenges.
For the implementation of the projects, the Sandkasten platform is available. Through it, we offer personal project coaching, financial project funding as well as a detailed project management handbook. Students can also use our digital tools for project management and reflection.
For everyone seeking a practice-oriented change of perspective: The Wissenskiosk is a Meeting Point for students and practice partners, held immediately after courses in front of the lecture hall.
With a cup of free coffee, students can gain hands-on insights into professional application fields, while practice partners receive valuable impulses from the academic world. Additionally, on request there is a bulletin board featuring current internship, job, and project opportunities.
The format is organized by Knowledge Transfer, with the kiosk stand set up directly in front of the lecture hall and our team managing the implementation. We are happy to integrate existing contacts or invite new practice partners. For inquiries, please contact Gina Kerber.
The Project: Students developed the idea of supporting seniors in the use of digital devices. From this, in collaboration with the Citizens’ Foundation, a monthly meeting emerged in the Campus Lounge of the Sparkasse – accompanied by coffee and biscuits. The response is great – regularly 20–30 seniors take part.
The Impact: The project sustainably improves the digital participation of older people. Through personal support in the use of smartphones and other technical devices, reluctance is reduced and social participation strengthened. At the same time, students take on social responsibility.
Practical partner: Braunschweig Community Foundation, senior citizens, Campus Lounge | "Digital transformation: Cooperation with Prof. Robra-Bissantz
The project: The project team developed a concept for the sustainable development of the place based on the mission statement “Green Community.” The starting point was an open workshop with citizens, children, farmers, the mayor, and other local stakeholders. In this dialogue-oriented process, perspectives, wishes, and challenges were gathered and reflected upon together. Building on this, we developed a future strategy with three impulse strategies that outline pathways for participatory and sustainable inner development.
The impact: The close collaboration between the university, municipality, and civil society actively contributes to the implementation of SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, opens the university to the region, and jointly develops new ways for a liveable, future-oriented municipality.
The practice partners: Municipality of Wasbüttel | ISU: Wasbüttel – a Village in the Making?! with Prof. Dr. Carlow, Daniel Grenz & Benedikt Herz
3rd place “Best Impact Project 2025”
Here you will find informational material as well as useful tools that can support you in the planning and reflection of an Impact project. Depending on the scope of the individual project, corresponding tools can be combined or used individually.
Guidelines: Research, study, and teaching with impact
Transfer and knowledge exchange strategy "TIES® with Impact"
Impact Guide (m2act Migros Culture Percentage)
We are happy to support you in integrating Impact Learning into your teaching through an Impact course or the Wissenskiosk. Please send the completed registration form to Gina Kerber, Coordinator for Impact Learning.
We are happy to support you in the concrete implementation of Impact Learning as a teaching-learning format within your course, connect you with practice partners, and provide coaching for the project teams.
If you have questions about integrating the course into modules or study structures, please first contact the respective programme and module coordinators of the relevant institute or the Department of Studies and Teaching.
Advising on the integration of Impact Learning
• Performance portfolio – presentation of the results and competencies achieved in the module
• Discussion or written examination
• Possible upon request (all students in the module must have the opportunity)
• Result of a graded or ungraded coursework can be included with up to 50 % in the examination result
It is advisable to consult Department 16 – Studies and Teaching.
Organisation and Moderation: Dr. Saskia Frank, Christian Stascheit, Gina Kerber
• Cross-faculty test run
• Evaluation
• Service offerings for instructors
• Fact sheet & information sheet as tools
• Impact Learning tools for study and teaching
• Increasing the visibility of impact projects
• How can the concept be implemented at TU Braunschweig?
• Best practice: exchange on Impact Learning within the faculties
• What is Impact Learning?
• Which practical examples already exist at TU Braunschweig?
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Phone: +49 (0) 531 391-0