On April 23, 2026, the Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (IFW Dresden) opened its doors to schoolgirls as part of the nationwide Girls’Day initiative. Under the motto “Bausteine der Zukunft – Die Welt der Werkstoffe,” participants gained hands-on insights into materials research.

The program focused on how materials are specifically developed and which properties they need for special applications—from lightweight and robust materials to electrically conductive and even superconducting materials. The students explored the diversity of carbon, learned about the properties of metals and alloys, and carried out their own experiments in the laboratories while also visiting the workshops. They prepared samples independently and created colorful solutions from acidic and basic components in the chemistry lab.

The program thus provided a varied and hands-on insight into the diverse activities within a research institute.

Girls’Day aims to inspire schoolgirls nationwide to pursue careers in science and technology and to open up new perspectives for their professional futures. The day at IFW Dresden was met with great interest and enthusiasm by the participants; two of them will return to the institute in the coming months for a two-week internship.

With initiatives such as Girls’Day, IFW Dresden is actively committed to STEM education, the promotion of young scientific talent, and a broad-based communication of fundamental scientific knowledge.

Further information on Girls’Day: https://www.girls-day.de/

Contact:
Patricia Bäuchler
Science Communication
p.baeuchler[at]ifw-dresden.de