Student engineer academy

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The commonly used logo of the student engineer academy

The Student Engineer Academy (SIA) is a cooperation model between schools , universities and companies , with which a forum is to be set up in which teachers , professors , company managers and students can meet and exchange ideas. The SIA has existed since 2000. The SIA specifically promotes high school students who are interested in natural sciences and technology and thus opens up prospects for a professional future in the field of engineering .

aims

The primary goal is to support the career and course selection process and to promote the attractiveness of studying mathematics , computer science , natural sciences and technology . In particular, the interest in studying engineering should increase, since the discussion about a lack of engineers has repeatedly arisen in the Federal Republic of Germany in recent years . In practical and theoretical exercises and projects within the SIA, interdisciplinary topics from the fields of mechanical engineering , electronics or electrical engineering, mechatronics , energy technology , sensor technology , information technology and business administration are dealt with in order to sensitize the participating students specifically in these areas.

In addition, the interest in technical areas should be aroused in upper secondary school students, independent learning should be encouraged and skills such as key qualifications should be further developed. Furthermore, a deepening of knowledge in dealing with modern mass media as well as method training in project work, scientific documentation and presentations is part of the work in a student engineering academy.

The cooperation and networking between grammar schools, universities and business is intended to enable comprehensive career orientation for technical job profiles and provide detailed insights into engineering studies. Above all, a stronger cooperation between schools and companies should be created so that a practice-oriented school education can be given.

history

The idea of ​​the SIA was born in Baden-Württemberg . The SIA was the answer to discussions about a lack of young engineers, early study and career orientation, networking of schools, universities and industry as well as new methods of practice-oriented learning. After a long conceptual preparatory work, the first SIA was founded in September 2000 with 24 participants from the Hellenstein and Max Planck high school in Heidenheim an der Brenz with the support of Südwestmetall , the Association of the Metal and Electrical Industry Baden-Württemberg eV.

The SIA idea was convincing. After the start of the pilot project in Heidenheim, further student engineering academies were established throughout Baden-Württemberg in the following years. The SIA was introduced across the board and the number of participating high schools was increased significantly. The number of companies involved was also able to increase, so the SIA was able to win over companies such as Microsoft , Siemens Power Generation , Thyssen Krupp Steel AG , Robert Bosch GmbH , or Hewlett-Packard .

In 2003 there were already nine, in 2004 twice as many and finally in 2006 a total of 29 academies in Baden-Württemberg, for example in the cities of Mannheim , Karlsruhe , Stuttgart , Ulm , Reutlingen , Singen , Freiburg , Göppingen and Heilbronn . In 2007 the number of SIAs was increased again, and the trend is rising.

After successfully testing the SIA together with the Deutsche Telekom Foundation , which promotes the SIA model nationwide, Südwestmetall was also able to bring the positive experience to other federal states. The association sponsored the transfer of the SIA idea to Thuringia in 2007, where SIA networks have now been set up in Erfurt , Schmalkalden , Eisenach and Ilmenau under the leadership of the Thuringian Economy Association. In North Rhine-Westphalia there have also been SIAs in Duisburg and Gelsenkirchen since 2007 , in Lower Saxony in Hanover and Braunschweig and in Brandenburg since 2008.

The model

There are student engineering academies all over Germany. Accordingly, just as different as the places where the SIA is carried out, the framework conditions are in part very different.

In some schools, students in grade 10 take part in the SIA, but in other high schools only students in grade 12 take part in the SIA. It is planned to make a better separation in the future. The junior engineer academy is already testing it, a project with the same objective, but which should be aimed at grades 9 and 10. In addition, there is an overall plan in some federal states that provides for children to be introduced to technology in kindergarten and primary school .

The duration and rating of the various SIAs also differ. Some SIAs last one school year, others three. Some student engineering academies are included directly in the Abitur certificate with grading, others are linked to the creation of a seminar paper and still others are not reflected in the grades at all. Some SIAs are built into lessons with a certain number of hours per week, others are modular or even take place outside of regular lessons.

The number of participants also fluctuates very strongly. At some grammar schools, significantly less than 10 students participate in an SIA, at other schools the interest is so great that the students have to apply separately for a place in a student engineering academy. In some schools the students or their parents have to pay a certain amount in order to participate in an SIA, but in many high schools the participation is free. Of course, this depends on the financial contribution of the sponsors and partners of the student engineering academy.

In addition to good behavior and adequate academic performance, the general admission requirements are often certain engineering-related subjects. These include mathematics, physics, computer science and chemistry, less often also biology, economics or other subjects that have to do with technology, if these are offered at the respective high schools. Of course, there are also differences between the various SIA networks in this area.

The tasks that have to be dealt with within a group of students are also very different, just like the field of activity of an engineer.

Work with digital video technology , image processing, control and regulation technology, programming of robots and sensors, energy generation, three-dimensional design of workpieces, power plant production, steel production and metal technology , construction of an internet platform, headlight technology, soldering iron power supplies , semiconductor technology , network and communication technology, construction of a Tesla Generators or the development of a weather station are just a few of the possible tasks. The pupils receive the necessary support from experts, i.e. from students or professors, committed teachers and employees from various companies.

In all SIAs, the theoretical material and the practical exercises and tasks go far beyond the normal curriculum and often mean an additional burden for the participating students as well as for all other employees who ensure the functioning of the SIA.

Partners and sponsors

The SIA thrives on the commitment of those involved: high schools, universities and companies. It is financially supported by associations such as Südwestmetall , the Employment Agency , non-profit organizations such as the Deutsche Telekom Foundation and the state ministries. Universities offer subject-specific lectures and panel discussions with experts. Students also receive a picture of engineering courses. Companies offer insights into production and engineering. In addition, students can do company internships and take part in training courses on project management or team development .

The SIA acquires modern equipment for future-oriented training with sponsorship funds. Important partners for increasing the interest of students in science and technology are grammar schools, by adapting their curricula to measures with extracurricular cooperation partners.

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b Constantin Fetzer: Dr. Hartmut Gilg becomes honorary professor . ( Memento from February 12, 2013) In: Südwest Presse , November 10, 2010
  2. ↑ http://idw-online.de/pages/de/news396168
  3. ↑ http://www.fnweb.de/regionales/adelsheim_osterburken/20101113_mmm0000000789606.html ( Memento from September 4, 2012)
  4. ↑ a b c http://www.suedkurier.de/region/kreis-konstanz/singen/Einblick-ins-Ingenieurstudium;art372458,4552326
  5. ↑ a b http://www.suedkurier.de/region/bodenseekreis-oberschwaben/friedrichshafen/Praxisluft-und-Praesentationen;art372474,4538399