The meccanica feminale is a project of the Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts Baden-Wurttemberg.

meccanica feminale 2024 - Review & impressions

| #mfbw24 | 02/27 – 03/02/2024 | Furtwangen University – University of Stuttgart

In der letzten Februarwoche 2024 ging die meccanica feminale in den Räumen der Uni Stuttgart in die 15. Runde – diesmal mit dem aktuellen "Energy & Environment" Around 100 female students and experts met not only for personal development in courses run by women for women. They also took advantage of the Winter School to socialise and network.

All images, unless otherwise stated: Copyright Netzwerk Frauen.Innovation.Technik BW

Opening & Keynote

This year's meccanica feminale was opened by Carolin Hilzendegen, event director and academic staff member at the network Frauen.Innovation.Technik (FIT) Baden-Württemberg.

Nadine Sanitter from the project sponsor, the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts (MWK), and Dr. Grazia Lamanna, Equal Opportunities Officer at the University of Stuttgart, welcomed participants and lecturers and emphasised the important role of the project.

In her keynote Melanie Vogelpohl from the German Federal Environmental Foundation gave the participants and the interested public important food for thought. Under the title „Große Transformationen – Umwelt, Energie, Frauen“ she presented, among others, winners of the German Environmental Award and their research. Among them was physicist Prof. Dr. Friederike Otto. The winner of the German Environmental Award 2023 is researching the links between climate change and extreme weather events. Melanie Vogelpohl encouraged the audience that women in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and IT) are needed with their knowledge and skills to achieve the United Nations' sustainability goals and overcome the challenges facing society. The opening ceremony of meccanica feminale was rounded off with a joint champagne reception and lunch buffet.

COURSES BY WOMEN FOR WOMEN

The female meccanica feminale lecturers spent five days passing on their expertise on current topics and skills for career paths However, they were not just lecturers, but also important role models for their female course participants. Here you find an overview of the courses at meccanica feminale 2024. here gibt es einen Überblick über die Kurse der meccanica feminale 2024.

This year, the focus was on "Energy & Environment".Courses were held on life cycle sustainability, product sustainability, heat transition and hydrogen technologies. The main topic was also addressed at the opening and in the supporting programme. Courses on programming with Python and social skills were also particularly popular this year.

GETTING INSIGHTS - GUIDED TOURS & PANEL DISCUSSION

The motto for Thursday was “Getting insights”. The Fraunhofer Institute IPA, the Research Institute for Automotive Engineering and Vehicle Engines Stuttgart (FKFS), the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and the Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) provided insights into their work during exciting guided tours. Another highlight was the panel discussion entitled "Career in STEM - I do it my way!". Moderated by Dr. Janina Ulmer, Dr. Ulrike Weinrich, Dr. Aline Defranceski, Dr. Christina Korntreff and Maike Lambarth reported on the hurdles they still face today as women in science, in companies and as freelancers. The audience received helpful tips for their own working lives. “Career in STEM – I do it my way!”. Moderiert von Dr. Janina Ulmer berichteten Dr. Ulrike Weinrich, Dr. Aline Defranceski, Dr. Christina Korntreff and Maike Lambarth darüber, welchen Hürden Sie als Frauen in Wissenschaft, in Unternehmen und als Selbständige auch heute noch gegenüberstehen. Die Zuhörerinnen konnten sich über hilfreiche Tipps für ihr eigenes Arbeitsleben freuen.

In addition to the guided tours in Stuttgart, medical technology manufacturer Aesculap AG , as part of the B. Braun group, also organised a full-day excursion to its site in Tuttlingen. This year's gold sponsor of meccanica feminale not only offered a look behind the scenes, but also the opportunity to exchange ideas with female engineers on site.

HAVING FUN & NETWORKING

In addition to learning, fun should not be neglected. That's why the participants got together for a pub crawl through Stuttgart, bouldering and an escape game. In the breaks between classes, the participants met in the cafeteria cafeteria as usual to network and socialise. The networking dinner at Trattoria Da Franco was also a great opportunity to network. In addition to delicious food, a networking BINGO provided a relaxed atmosphere. Magician Marion Metternich amazed everyone with her tricks until late in the evening.

An overview of the supporting programme of meccanica feminale 2024 can be found here.

We look forward to next year! Join us and bring all the women you know with you :)

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You can find more impressions of the events on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook under the hashtags #mfbw24 or #scientificaBW.