Trier's Summer School: a springboard for girls

35 schoolgirls spent four days at Trier University gaining an insight into various branches of computer science studies.

Nah dran an der Praxis haben Schülerinnen an der Uni Trier einen Hackathon durchgeführt, IT-Unternehmen der Region kennengelernt und Erfahrungen im Programmieren gesammelt. Das viertätige Programm der Trierer Informatik-Sommeruni fand vom 28. bis zum 31. Juli 2024 statt. Organisiert vom Ada-Lovelace-Projekt in Kooperation mit der Informatikwissenschaft der Universität Trier, bot die Veranstaltung den Teilnehmerinnen eine einmalige Gelegenheit, die Teilgebiete der Informatik kennenzulernen und sich für ein Studium in diesem Bereich begeistern zu lassen.

[Translate to Englisch:] Gemeinsam mit Studierenden und JProf. Dr. Jacqueline Staub haben 35 Schülerinnen einen viertägigen, praxisnahen Einblick ins Informatikstudium erhalten.
[Translate to Englisch:] Gemeinsam mit Studierenden und JProf. Dr. Jacqueline Staub haben 35 Schülerinnen einen viertägigen, praxisnahen Einblick ins Informatikstudium erhalten.

In addition to algorithms, IT equipment and programming workshops, the participants also gained first insights into campus and student life. The 35 students had time to get to know each other over dinner in a student pub and during a tour of the city before the programme at Trier University began on Monday. Junior-Professor Dr Jacqueline Staub, who welcomed the participants, gave an introduction to computer science. Further lectures by Junior-Professor Dr Philipp Kindermann on algorithmics and Junior-Professor Dr Benjamin Weyers on human-computer interaction opened up the many facets of computer science to the adolescens.

Bianca Schröder, co-organiser and head of the Ada Lovelace project at Trier University, is delighted with the interest: ‘Many of the schoolgirls are now motivated and inspired to choose a degree course in computer science or a related subject area. At the summer school, we present the diversity of a computer science degree programme and want to show girls in particular how exciting the field of study is and what excellent career opportunities there are.’

Of course, the schoolgirls spent most of the event from Monday to Wednesday attending workshops, lectures and gaining an insight into the course. But there was also time for a yoga break and socialising with students and doctoral candidates from Trier University at the summer school. The students were able to familiarise themselves with the distinct job and application possibilities of a computer science degree at an IT company in the region.

University President Prof Dr Eva Martha Eckkrammer bid farewell to the participants on Wednesday: ‘By studying computer science, you have a significant influence on society. This also includes the representation of women in technological professions: With this course, you can help close the existing gap and bring a more diverse perspective to the development of technologies.’

The summer school was made possible thanks to the support of the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Science and Health and the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Family Affairs, Women, Culture and Integration and with funding from the European Social Fund Plus. The Summer Uchool also received financial support from Trier University, the Veronika & Herbert Reh Foundation, the Friends of Trier University e.V., the Ada-Lovelace-Projekt Förderverein e.V. and the Nikolaus Koch Foundation. Thanks to the funding, participation and the overnight stay in Trier were free of charge for all students.

Contact

Bianca Schröder
Ada-Lovelace-Project at Trier University
E-Mail: schroeuni-trierde
Tel. +49 651 201-3497

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