Under the motto “Feel the Beat”, the second Sensor Space Summer School of Fraunhofer IKTS took place in Hermsdorf from August 22 to 26. Ten students from grades 8 to 11 had responded to the call of the regional Maker Space and participated in the free summer vacation program. Together with researchers from Fraunhofer IKTS, who had developed the concept for the Summer School, the adolescents spent a week working with circuit diagrams, electronic components and measuring devices. The aim was to build their own ECG device, with which they could measure their own heartbeat at the end of the week. In addition to the biological basics of the heart, soldering techniques, the functioning of electronic components and circuits, and the calibration of measuring devices were taught. During an excursion to the local hospital Waldkliniken Eisenberg, medical specialists and nursing staff explained how heart monitors and other measuring devices for biosignals are used in everyday clinical practice. At the end of the week, the self-built heart monitor and many new insights and skills could be taken home.

The STEM student lab Sensor Space, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, is a Maker Space for sensor technology and technical ceramics in eastern Thuringia. The goal is to get students excited about microelectronics, software and technology in courses and events and to increase interest in technical professions.