MinTU states: "Diapers are for real heroes"

In her welcoming address, the Central Equal Opportunities Officer Martina Stackelbeck gave a brief insight into TU Dortmund University and used current student statistics to explain why MinTU is an important project. In order to increase the representation of women in STEM degree courses, MinTU wants to inspire young girls to study these subjects. "However, equality does not only mean attracting girls to STEM subjects, but also motivating boys to study in the social and cultural sciences," explained Martina Stackelbeck. For this reason, the Equal Opportunities Office also organizes "12+ - Boys' Mentoring" as a counterpart to MinTU.

After these introductory words, project coordinator Jill Timmreck took a brief look back at the MinTU year 2018 and gave those interested an insight into the content of the program. MinTU consists of two components. One component is the eight workshops at TU Dortmund University. Here, the STEM departments introduce themselves and try to get the girls interested in their degree programs. In the second component, the private mentoring meetings, the mentees are supervised in small groups by a mentor who is studying a STEM subject at TU Dortmund University. Here, the girls have the opportunity to experience student life at first hand and ask questions about studying and choosing a degree course.

At these meetings, the 2018 cohort visited exhibitions such as the DASA (German Occupational Safety and Health Exhibition in Dortmund) and the Phänomenta in Lüdenscheid. At Superfly, the groups put gravity through its paces and put infrared rays to practical use at LaserTag. Some mentees also met a real astronaut and visited the Fraunhofer Institute. The girls found the talk with astronaut Dr. Suzanna Randall particularly exciting, but when asked whether they could imagine becoming an astronaut, Alicia (13) replied: "That's a bit too scary for me. But I would find studying astrophysics exciting."

At the workshops in the various departments this year, the mentees once again carried out exciting experiments. They investigated what chocolate has to do with statistics, why a diaper stays dry and what happens to foam kisses in a vacuum. One mentee reported that she particularly enjoyed the large library: "Although we almost got lost in it during the campus rally," admitted Mieke (13). But what was the best thing about MinTU? Fiona (14)'s answer was quite clear: "That I made so many new friends here who think just like me and also think STEM is great."

We continued with the "Science is fun" show by self-confessed MinTU fan Joachim Hecker. He wowed the audience with the world's tastiest motor and showed what happens when a magnesium pencil sharpener lands in vinegar: it pops. In keeping with the season, the scientist also brought along two different superabsorbents. One is used as artificial snow and the other is found in diapers. These are not just for babies, said Hecker, but also for real heroes and heroines: "When Astro-Alex is out in space, he also wears a diaper."

The event concluded with the presentation of certificates. Both the mentees and the mentors received a certificate for their successful participation in the project. Afterwards, the interested schoolgirls were able to find out more or apply directly for the coming year. MinTU will start for the eighth time on January 24, 2019. Places in the project are in high demand. The application deadline is 31.12.2018.