Non-School Learning Spaces at RWTH
The educationLABS in the Technologiezentrum
In order to make school students' access to the STEM subjects easier and more attractive, RWTH Aachen envisaged the establishment of the "RWTH Aachen University Education Labs" in its institutional strategy for excellent teaching and learning as a center for school student labs. Under the management of the institute clusters ZLW/IMA & IfU, the "Roboscope" was founded in July 2010 as in interdisciplinary lab for robotics.Through collaboration with the LuFG Computer Science 9 (computer science), the "Infosphere" arose as an extracurricular learning space for various aspects in computer science. Other school student labs should supplement the services of the integrated center with technical or scientific themes for the long term.
RoboScope - the interdisciplinary lab for robotics
The RoboScope is an interdisciplinary school student lab for robotics, in which primarily pupils from secondary levels I and II design and program their own robots together. This, for example, provides exciting glances at the diverse STEM subjects. Through active experimentation in robotics, school students become aware of their talents and potential and develop sustainable interest in different topics.
The lab concept pursues an intensely networked teaching and research approach, which - in addition to STEM subjects - models social and ethics questions, in order to implement general content and offer alternative approaches to those not as interested in technology. School students improve their skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, innovative ability, communication, and preparedness to collaborate through purely technical aspects in the lab.
Beginner courses for all ages take place consistently in the LEGO Education Center of the RoboScope school student lab. Here participants primarily work with LEGO mindstorms. Building on this, students have the possibility in other courses to work in more complex situations, such as the design of autonomous robots or participating in competitions. In order to ease individual, experimental access to the technical content, didactic elements of the RoboScope were implemented in an innovative space conception, that considers and supports various learning and working styles. Technology is experienced first hand through visits to interactive robot exhibits in the demo street and to project work in the experimentation arena, through short teaching units in the interactive classroom, and the concluding competition in the competition arena.
Those who wish to visit the roboscope, can find more about events and contact persons on the webpage.
To the RoboScope im Technologiezentrum
InfoSphere - the lab for computer science
The InfoSphere offerse varying approaches to numerous sides and applications of computer science to school students from primary to school to their Abiture.
The services encompasses topic specific programs, socalled modules, for entire school classes and courses and individual interested pupils. The timeframe for the majority of modules encompasses about half a day (two to four hours). Individual modules are also experimental workshops, that are offered over the course of multiple days (e.g. within the framework of a Schüleruniversität or the MINT Camps).
Modules are prepared and tested by students in the computer science teaching training program within the framework of their subject specific didactic training. The modules are thematically oriented towards NRW lesson plans and to the standards of the central Abiture. Various learning methods (such as group puzzles, learning through teaching or discovery) are applied in the modules. The activity of the pupils is always at the focus. Each module is conducted by two teacher training students (through an internship) and supervised by a member of the academic staff in the Computer Science 9 Teaching and Research Area.
Current modules are e.g.:
- Travels to the inside of a PC,
- EAN & QR-Codes,
- Easy programming with Scratch
- Lego-TM,
- and much more
You can always refer to the webpage to see which modules are currently being offered. You can also contact the InfoSphere team through a form there.
FabLab - the craft workshop
A "Fab Lab" is a small work shop with computer operated tools that enable the creation of products. The lab was founded in 2009 as the first of its kind in Germany and is supervised by the RWTH Aachen Media Computing Group. It is part of RWTH Aahen but it is not a typical lab at a university. The doors are open to anyone, not only students and academics. Thus, pupils, teachers, and other interested individuals can use the Fab Lab to implement their ideas. One may create almost anything they wish, be it weird or peculiar - fresh ideas and new visitors are welcome at any time!
Please refer to the webpage for more information if you would like to visit.
To the FabLab for computer science
BIOZAC/EUTOPION - das Freilandlabor
In the open-air site of the Freundeskreis Botanischer Garten Aachen e.V. on the historic Gut Melaten, school students have the opportunity to research biological and ecological relationships under direction. The extracurrical learning space encompasses the Capitulary Garden with medicinal herbs and vegetables at the demand of Charlemagne a cottage garden laid out as a biological example garden, extensively worked meadows with scattered fruit trees with old types from around the Euroregio, and a large pond. Various topics are offered for lessons and project weeks upon arrangement within the teaching modules in the open air water, meadow, meadow fruit, and Charlemagne garden lab.
Individuals interested in visiting the site during the summer months, should contact the Freundeskreis Botanischer Garten e.V. beforehand.