School Student Workshop “Research for Climate-Neutral Aviation”
How exactly does an aircraft work and how can aviation become more climate-friendly in the future? These questions were at the heart of the workshop “Research for Climate-Neutral Aviation”, organized by SynTrac as part of the Try Science program at the University of Stuttgart.
During their school break in October 2025 seven students from different secondary schools got an exciting first-hand look at the world of aerospace engineering, with a special focus on sustainable technologies and climate-neutral flight.
During the SynTrac Lab Tour, participants experienced how aircraft work and explored the role of research in shaping the aviation of the future. The day’s program included:
- Insights into Current Research: The session began with a reflection on personal travel behavior: Why do we fly, where, and how often? Flying connects people and economies worldwide – global mobility is a key part of modern life. At the same time, the importance of reducing emissions and using energy efficiently was discussed. Participants also learned how SynTrac uses experiments and computer simulations to improve energy efficiency in aviation and thus creates additional potential to lower emissions.
- Fundamentals of Flight and Propulsion: To establish a solid foundation for all participants, the workshop started with easy-to-understand explanations of aerodynamics, lift, and modern engines. The theory quickly came to life: by examining a Trent 500 aircraft engine, students could see the real-world technology behind the concepts they had just learned.
- Interactive Lab Tour: From the water channel to the altitude test stand and the vibration lab, students experienced live demonstrations and hands-on experiments.
A highlight was the flow simulation in the water channel, where various flight phases with newly integrated propulsion technologies were analyzed.
- Another stop at the vibration lab illustrated how crucial it is to consider interactions between components when developing new technologies: Vibrations occur in aircraft and, if damping is insufficient, can lead to wear and tear or increased noise pollution for passengers.
- Aircraft Design Challenge: To conclude the workshop, participants used simulation software to design their own vision of a sustainable SynTrac aircraft of the future. Through performance analyses, they explored how energy consumption can be optimized and saw how the different elements discussed in earlier sessions interact, demonstrating how, step by step, to achieve an optimal overall aircraft design.
Photos: SynTrac
Alongside experiments and demonstrations, students had the opportunity to talk directly with researchers from the Institute of Aircraft Propulsion Systems (ILA) and the Institute of Aircraft Design (IFB) at the University of Stuttgart.
The enthusiasm and curiosity of the participants clearly showed how inspiring the topic of sustainable aviation can be for young people. From students planning to study aerospace engineering to those simply curious about the technologies of tomorrow, the group was diverse and adopted different perspectives.
SynTrac as a project is delighted to have opportunities like this to inspire young minds and spark enthusiasm for research, innovation, and a climate-neutral future in aviation.
