On Friday, 23. September, Paderborn University’s Faculty of Mechanical Engineering opened its doors for young and old, who were given exciting insights into the world of mechanical engineering at two events. From 2 p.m., the event “Fantasy Machines” gave young inventors aged three to ten a chance to experiment, make things, and explore today and tomorrow’s technology. In the evening, young and old were invited to the “Mechanical Engineering Night” event. From 5 p.m. until late, the faculty’s various working groups, research facilities and student initiatives introduced themselves and presented the wide and varied range of their research on current issues and challenges. Visitors had the opportunity to look over the scientists’ shoulders while they were welding and casting, and to follow some exciting experiments. Potential students of the subject were also given information about the various Mechanical Engineering degree courses.
Family event “Fantasy Machines”
The tech event “Fantasy Machines”, which lasted from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., offered children from three to ten years of age (and their parents) numerous hands-on activities, inspiring them to think about technology and try things out for themselves. 7- to 10-year-olds could also take part without parental supervision. Budding researchers could visit various mechanical engineering stations, where they could work, explore and observe together, supported by learning supervisors who also answered questions.
“Mechanical Engineering Night”
The afternoon event was followed by a “Mechanical Engineering Night”, starting at 5 p.m. Scientists from the faculty presented the central challenges being dealt with in Paderborn, such as resource efficiency, sustainability and the environmental compatibility of products and production processes, or the use of information technology. Visitors could find out all they wanted to know about the faculty’s various working groups and research facilities, such as the Direct Manufacturing Research Center (DMRC), the Kompetenzzentrum für Nachhaltige Energietechnik (Competence Centre for Sustainable Energy Technology, or KET), the Institut für Leichtbau mit Hybridsystemen (Institute for Lightweight Design with Hybrid Systems, or ILH) and the Product Creation research group from the Heinz Nixdorf Institute. Student initiatives, such as the Student Council (Fachschaft), the Hochschulgruppe Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen der Paderborn University e.V. (HG Wing) and the UPBracing Team, gave an insight into their work. There were also lots of hands-on activities, as well as an hourly opportunity to watch casters and welders at work in the mechanical engineering hall, to inform visitors about the faculty. In addition, potential students could learn more about the various degree courses available at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.
