Students conquer technology: Successful camp in Berchtesgaden!

Students conquer technology: Successful camp in Berchtesgaden!

In the last few days, 25 students from various educational institutions have realized a very special project at the Berchtesgadener Land Student Research Center (SFZ). Under the motto “Experience technology”, the motivated eighth graders, who applied with the recommendation of a STEM teacher, spent a week building their own drawing machines. These are computer-controlled pen plotters that convert digital vector graphics into precise lines on paper. “[bgland24] reports that the students were divided into four groups and went through different construction phases: from basic construction to mechanics and electronics to software programming,” he tells us with a broad smile.

These activities included lots of exciting challenges such as engineering, screwing, thread cutting, 3D printing and digital designing. At the end of the week, participants boasted working pen plotters that translated mathematical descriptions into interesting drawings. The material costs of around 80 to 90 euros per device are also impressive, compared to the finished devices, which cost up to 300 euros.

A successful process

The camp was a joint project between the Technical University of Munich, the Berchtesgadener Land district and the SFZ support association. The students, aged 13 to 14, were not only supported by qualified staff in their project work, but also experienced a great community during their accommodation at the CVJM activity center in Ramsau am Hintersee. The evening program included hiking, torchlight hikes, bowling and campfires - not only was technology taught here, but also a bit of nature and community experience.

The conclusion of the camp was a celebratory highlight at which numerous guests, including Michael Koller from the Bavarian State Parliament and Josef Wenig, the second mayor of Berchtesgaden, were present. “A very big thank you goes to the Technical University of Munich, the district and the market town of Berchtesgaden for their support,” says project manager Heiermeier. The event was very well received and impressively demonstrated how enthusiasm for technology and creative solutions can go hand in hand.

Looking into the future

There is also exciting news for the future: “The decision about another technology camp in December has already been made, the forensics camp for February 2026 is also being planned,” reports a person responsible at the TU Munich. Here participants can look forward to exciting chemical trace analyzes and IT forensics. Registration options for the forensics camp start in November, so interested students can start looking for a STEM teacher to apply right away. “The next TECHNOLOGY CAMP will take place from October 20th to 24th, 2025,” is the welcome announcement.

We are excited to see what creative ideas and technical masterpieces will emerge from the student research center next year! If you are looking for more information about the event, you can find it under [student research] or you can contact Tammo Claassen, research assistant at the TU Munich, directly.