The nationwide Girls’ Day took place on April 3, 2025 – and the SynTrac research project joined in with engaging, hands-on activities at both the University of Stuttgart’s Vaihingen Campus and TU Braunschweig. The goal: to spark schoolgirls’ interest in technical and scientific careers – especially in aerospace.

Several hundred girls visited the two campuses for Girls’ Day or Future Day and were warmly welcomed at central kickoff events. This year, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sabine Langer, spokesperson for TRR364 SynTrac, welcomed the participants at the research airport in Braunschweig, while  Dr.-Ing. Grazia Lamanna, Head of Research Area C and Equal Opportunities Officer, greeted the girls at the Vaihingen Campus of the University of Stuttgart,.

Prof. Langer offered insights into her daily work and research, sharing her personal career journey – a path that, after many stops, led her into the world of acoustic science.
Meanwhile, Dr. Lamanna took participants on a journey through the history of science, highlighting the essential contributions of female pioneers and underlining the importance of future generations continuing to shape the field.

Following the introductions, the girls re-grouped in smaller groups and headed to the various participating institutes for a variety of workshops.

At the Institute of Aircraft Propulsion Systems at the University of Stuttgart, ten students from grades 5 and 6 explored the fundamentals of flight during the workshop “Why Do Airplanes Fly – and What is the Future of Sustainable Aviation?” This session not only explained the physics of flight but also served as a platform to introduce SynTrac’s sustainability goals.

Together with researchers, the girls explored the basic principles of aerodynamics, then applied their knowledge in practice – building and flying small model airplanes. A special highlight was the visit to a real aircraft engine, where its structure and function were demonstrated up close. In another hands-on experiment, participants used colored water to simulate airflow – a creative and visually striking way to understand aerodynamic effects.

Throughout the day, the girls also had the chance to speak directly with female aerospace researchers, hearing first-hand what inspires them about their work and how they entered the world of science. The main takeaway: Stay curious and ask lots of questions. This message became the motto of the day, sparking lively conversations with the SynTrac team and among the students themselves.

Meanwhile, at TU Braunschweig, 18 schoolgirls took part in Girls’ Day at the Institute of Acoustics and Dynamics. After an introduction featuring the SynTrac aircraft as a current research highlight, the participants rotated through six interactive stations focused on dynamics and acoustics:

1. Stereomicroscopy – examining a variety of surface structures
2. Chladni Sound Figures – visualizing sound vibrations using sand
3. Frictional Vibrations – exploring wave patterns with water experiments
4. 3D Printing – gaining insight into modern manufacturing techniques
5. Stroboscopic Lighting – visual effects through targeted lighting
6. Acoustic Camera – detecting and localizing noise sources (led by the SynTrac team)

The enthusiasm of everyone involved was palpable – many participants showed deep interest in the scientific topics and asked thoughtful, curious questions throughout the day.

For the SynTrac project, Girls’ Day 2025 was a resounding success – and a valuable opportunity to ignite a passion for technology and research in the next generation.