Universities, Research Institutions, Industry & Schools Can Jointly Increase the Interest of Pupils in Engineering

The increasing shortage of engineers is especially severe in fast growing high-tech sectors like bioengineering, nanotechnology, optics and MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems). Even in the field of MEMS in Germany where special emphasis was placed not only on support of R&D projects but also in the development of accompanying degree programs the lack of skilled engineers and technicians is a major obstacle for further industrialization. This can only be overcome via a joint effort of higher education institutions together with research institutes and industrial partners cooperating with schools continuously from an early stage up to the transition to university. This paper gives an overview over our activities and experiences during the last five years within the network pro-mst funded by the German ministry for education and research, BMBF, ranging from presentations for pupils to learning labs and summer academies and also covering a range of training courses for teachers. Future work will be an extension of this network to middle and primary schools and the inclusion of additional industrial partners in order to broaden the range of schools that can be supported and also to induce direct cooperation between schools and industry.