A total of 15 students from three Duisburg high schools took part in the recently completed two-year Schools Engineering Academy (SIA) program. Their timetable covered a range of subjects, from semiconductor technology and robotics to steel production and renewable energies. As well as learning some basic theory, the youngsters gained an insight into various careers in engineering. Every week the students sacrificed a few hours of their spare time to develop new ideas together.

As one of the program’s partners, ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe is responsible for practical projects. Under the guidance of engineers from ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe, the young scientists worked on problems occurring in real-life work situations. On their project days, the students learned practical skills. The subject of this year’s project week was “Solar thermal systems”. In the current debate surrounding renewable energy, converting sunlight into thermal energy is an important issue.

All the students worked on their scientific experiments with concentration and attention to detail. At a closing event held at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe’s training center in Duisburg, they presented a model they had built – it measures light-to-power conversion efficiency – and the results of their projects. In the audience were the parents of the students and the next intake of Schools Engineering Academy participants.

When skills are in short supply, hard-working, ambitious young people are especially sought-after. And the SIA students are already a step ahead of their peers because they not only have project experience, they also have their own network and a certificate to show for their achievements. The company benefits too: ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe gets to know highly motivated potential engineers.