Student Lab at Steinmühle
With financial support from Roche and through the efforts of Ms. Weidenbach from the “Friends Association,” a student laboratory was set up at Steinmühle and handed over to the chemistry department on February 24, 2015.
The use of the new student lab serves several purposes: to promote self-directed, inquiry-based learning and the experimental exploration and explanation of phenomena in science and everyday life. Based on their interests, students can come up with their own science-related questions or be inspired by the instructors to tackle specific projects. Participating in competitions such as “Schüler experimentieren,” “Jugend Forscht,” “Chemie mach mit,” or others is certainly a special incentive.
Dr. Beatrix Wissel, the representative of the sponsor, Roch Pharma AG Deutschland, and Ms. Weidenbach, the chairwoman of the Friends Association, handed over the laboratory to the students in the advanced chemistry class, their instructor Dr. Jutta Töhl-Borsdorf, and Mr. Gemmer, the principal of Steinmühle High School.
The student lab is intended for use by students in various grade levels :
- Offered as a WU in grades 8 and 9 ( participation in “Schüler experimentieren” or similar programs)
- Course offered as an elective in the introductory phase of high school ( participation in “Jugend Forscht” or similar programs)
- Option for upper-level students to submit a research paper asa “special academic achievement”for the Abitur (in lieu of the oral Abitur exam)
- Individual students who are particularly interested or gifted could also be pulled out of NaUnt classes(program for gifted students).
- Projects within the framework of GuFi or the lunch-time clubs are also possible.
