Newsdetail

13. October 2021

Energy camp at the Knappenrode energy factory

Extracurricular education with an experience-oriented character.

Camp with outdoor tents in front of the factory buildings in Knappenrode
Photo: HSZG Energy Camp Knappenrode

This year, the energy camp took place for the first time from July 18 to 22 on the grounds of the Knappenrode energy factory (near Hoyerswerda). In cooperation with the three partners Uni im Grünen e.V. (sponsor), Energiefabrik Knappenrode and Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences , 21 pupils from an 8th grade class experienced interesting days on the subject of energy. The special thing about it was that the young people worked on tasks of their own choosing based on their interests. As a result, the camp time flew by:

  • Calculating how far an arrow can fly with the bow under investigation,
  • Introduction to scientific work,
  • Advantages & disadvantages of different energy sources,
  • calculating the energy balance of the camp's home-cooked food,
  • Construction and operation of a solar island system,
  • Energy-efficient cooking with the cooking box,
  • Energy in food: Determining and burning calories,
  • Experiments around the campfire "How much energy is in a gummy bear".

The young people worked on their self-formulated research questions in four groups and received guidance and support from HSZG staff under the technical direction of Prof. Stefan Kornhuber (Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science) and Robert Viertel (Education Office).

On the final day, the young people presented the results of their research questions:

  • How can you produce electricity with water?
  • Where does the sun's energy come from and how do we use it?
  • What energy requirements do our bodies have?
  • Which countries produce the most sustainable energy?

In addition to the vacation camp character (sleeping in tents and cooking over a campfire), the supporting program for this project week also included an excursion in the footsteps of the Lusatian wolves, a night tour of the exhibitions at the energy factory, exciting discussions around the campfire, soccer & and lots of games.

Campfire
A group of students sits on chairs in front of a speaker who is moderating the camp.
Shirts hanging over a metal element to dry
A big thank you goes to:
  • the Knappenrode energy factory as host,
  • Christoph Lehmann (Master's student in Mechanical Engineering) and Timon Conrad (Diploma student in Mechanical Engineering) from the HSZG, who worked tirelessly to bring this pilot project to fruition, provided the young people with technical support on site and carried out exciting experiments,
  • Colleague Felix Rothe (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering), who experimented with the young people on renewable energy sources,
  • Rector Prof. Kratzsch, who spontaneously planned a short visit and
  • Uni im Grünen e.V. with Thomas and Octavio, who looked after the young people with great skill, set up the camp, prepared food and led everyday experiments.

It has now been decided: due to the demand and the positive feedback from all those involved, the energy camp in Knappenrode will be offered twice in 2022:

  • May 30 to June 3, 2022 - Energy camp as a project week for a school class from grade 8 upwards
  • October 22 to 28, 2022 - "Climate Action Camp & Energy" vacation camp for interested children & young people
Photo: M.A. Robert Viertel
Ansprechperson
M.A.
Robert Viertel
r.viertel(at)hszg.de
Rectorate / Education department
02763 Zittau
Theodor-Körner-Allee 16
Building Z I, Room 2.02.2
2nd upper floor
+49 3583 612-4356
Rectorate / Education department
02826 Görlitz
Brückenstraße 1
Building G II, Room 253
1st floor
+49 3581 374-4356

The Knappenrode Energy Camp is an event as part of the MINOS project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The event was financially supported by the Lusatian Lakeland Foundation.