Open Day with Students from the Lichtenbergschule

As part of the second open day, the KGBauko Institute welcomed twelve students from the Lichtenbergschule. The event began with an introductory presentation by Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Architect Schäfer on the applications of additive manufacturing in civil engineering. Participants gained valuable insights into current research activities and practical applications of this innovative technology.

Following the presentation, the students had the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in a creative competition. Working in pairs, their task was to construct the tallest possible tower using only paper. In addition to technical ingenuity, the challenge required teamwork, creativity, and initial considerations of structural design.

The winning team developed an impressive tower reaching a height of 330 cm. The competition effectively illustrated fundamental engineering principles while fostering collaboration and team spirit among the participants.

Open Day with Students from the German School Guatemala

A further open day took place on May 29 with students from the German School Guatemala. Six students and their teacher participated in the event. The program began with an introduction to additive manufacturing in construction at the institute’s MicroLab. The guests were introduced to modern technologies and innovative applications that are becoming increasingly important within the construction industry.

The practical session that followed featured a bridge-building competition. Participants were challenged to design and construct a paper bridge with a span of 80 cm while achieving the highest possible load-bearing capacity. After the construction phase, the bridges were tested under increasing loads. The students demonstrated remarkable commitment, creativity, and technical understanding throughout the activity.

The winning design impressed with its outstanding stability and successfully supported a load of 5 kg. The competition provided an engaging demonstration of the importance of structural design, material behavior, and load-bearing principles in civil engineering.

Inspiring Enthusiasm for Civil Engineering

Both open days offered students the opportunity to explore current research topics and gain their first practical experiences in the field of civil engineering. The KGBauko Institute is delighted by the strong interest shown by the participants and the successful exchange of ideas. Events such as these make an important contribution to inspiring young people to pursue careers in engineering and other technical disciplines.