Schools at the test bench

Even during the corona pandemic, we want our collaborative projects with schools to continue in real life and not just on paper - which is why the planned event with a total of 33 students from the Fachoberschule Maschinenbau (technical secondary school for mechanical engineering) and the Berufliches Gymnasium Mechatronik (vocational secondary school for mechatronics) of Werner-Heisenberg-Schule in Rüsselsheim took place on October 26, 2020, in the laboratory for materials and component testing at the Faculty of Engineering. After the required safety briefing, the visitors were divided into three groups and familiarized with methods of destructive and non-destructive material testing by laboratory engineer Anna Bergstreiser.

The laboratory is normally used by students from various engineering degree programs for practical laboratory work; many tests, including quasi-static, cyclic and impact tests on metals and plastics are carried out here. However, the university also tests components and workpieces that are submitted for testing by external parties. It was an interesting day for the students from Werner-Heisenberg-Schule, with fascinating insights that they could not have gained at school.

“We are delighted that our students were given the opportunity to visit this laboratory. Our school is very well equipped, but up to now it has not been possible for us to offer practical learning units for this subject," commented the accompanying head of department of the Fachoberschule, Geert Ernst, after the successful premiere. Further classes will follow - this has already been determined as part of the school cooperation agreement.