| Time: | May 17, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Download as iCal: |
|
Under the auspices of “Zukunft Bauen” – Build the Future – IntCDC researchers from the Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD) and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) offered two bilingual workshops for girls in grades 9-10. The topics of the workshops were “Robots that Build, Feel and Interact with People” and “Self-Shaping Wood: Material Science Meets Architecture”.
Robots that Build, Feel and Interact with People
During the session, the students not only immersed themselves in the world of robots through a virtual tour of various research laboratories where robots are used, but also learned more about their interaction with humans. They also gained insight into how robots can help in furniture making and architecture, and jointly designed and manufactured a chair by using the Institute's industrial robot arms. As a result of the workshop, each participant received a miniature model of the chair they had designed. This workshop was co-organised by the IntCDC researchers from the Institute ICD, Tiffany Cheng, Yasaman Tahouni, Katja Rinderspacher, Luis Orozco and Dylan Wood, in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Haptic Intelligence Department (MPI-IS), Yijie Gong, Mayumi Mohan and Natalia Sanchez.
Self-Shaping Wood – Material Science Meets Architecture
This workshop focused on one of the oldest building materials in the world: wood. The students learned more about the special properties of wood and its reaction to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. This knowledge can be utilised to create self-shaping components of buildings or shading façade elements that react to the weather without the need for electricity. Prior to the workshop, each participant received a self-shaping starter kit and learned how to manipulate the wooden pieces with simple tools like a water (humidity) and a hairdryer (heat). Two student voices on the workshop:
“I didn't know there was research in architecture. I still have no idea what I would like to do after school, but I could well imagine going in that direction later."
“I found Girls’Day very interesting! I never would have thought that wood could deform like that on its own!"
The workshop was held by the ICD researchers Laura Kiesewetter, Dylan Wood and Tiffany Cheng.
The “Girls' Day” is an annual day of activities designed to encourage schoolgirls (and all FINTA persons) to overcome stereotypes by gaining insights into professional fields that are otherwise rarely considered. It is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the German Trade Union Federation and the ID21 nitiative. At the same time, there is a “Boys' Day” for schoolboys.
