The tenth annual Girls’ Day enjoyed record participation, with more than 9600 events throughout Germany. Fifth-graders and over had free rein to explore technical, life-science, manual and IT professions at more than 122,000 sites.

As in previous years, Fraunhofer IZM Berlin and Munich offered 11- to 14-year-old girls interested in technology a glimpse of the institute’s day-to-day research. Girls’ Day aims to enthuse girls and young women for courses and/or careers in technical or technology-related fields.

The following topics were explored in Berlin:

• Ants and mobiles – what gets electronics up and running? (introduction to microelectronics)
• What do ocean waves and antennas have in common? (introduction to RFID)
• A candle without flame – how to build an electronic circuit

The last part of the workshop was a hands-on opportunity for the visitors to build electronic tea lights.