![[Translate to English:] Groep YBSS. Foto | Bram Saeys](/fileadmin/_processed_/c/2/csm_Summerschool_meisje-Bram_Saeys_0f6890c7b2.jpg)
- The University
- 14/08/2018
Brainport for international students
The wind tunnel, the 3D concrete printer and solar cars from Eindhoven feature this week in the vacation photos of forty ambitious young people from all over the world. During their summer vacation they have come to Eindhoven to get to know the Brainport region and the technological developments happening here. From August 11 through 18 the third edition of the Young Brainport Summer School (YBSS) is taking place.
In Canada, Bangladesh, China, Fiji as well as in European countries, high school students with a passion for science subjects chose to spend a week immersed in the world of engineering in Brainport Eindhoven. Forty of them are here on their own initiative or having been advised to come by a teacher, and they are paying their plane ticket and the mandatory contribution of 300 euros themselves. They have a full program, part of which is taking place at TU/e.
Since last Saturday they have been staying at Student Hotel Eindhoven. They are spending a week visiting companies such as ASML, Holst Centre, Solliance, Malvern Panalytical, Huijbregts Groep and Philips. Social activities are also being organized for them, such as a games night, a bowling evening and VR gaming. The aim of organizer Brainport Development is to foster the school students' enthusiasm for Brainport Eindhoven.
Read on under the photo.
On Monday morning the students visited the TU/e wind tunnel and the 3D concrete printer in Vertigo and today they have two lectures and assignments on solar energy. In Ceres, university professor René Janssen explains in detail how exactly a solar cell works. Most take notes, a few ask questions along the way. One boy, who is clearly tired, moves closer to the front to help him pay closer attention.
Nice audience
After Janssen's lecture, Martijn Lammers talks about his work with solar cells, as a member of the Solar Team Eindhoven in 2015 and as co-founder of the company Lightyear, which is developing a commercial solar car. Last year he also spoke to a YBSS group and he remembers that the students were quick to understand new material and asked good questions. The same applies now: How does a car like this work in other parts of the world? Do you have plans for buses and trains? Does the car have air conditioning and airbags? Will you be adding anything new to it? How much has already been invested? Is mass production on the cards?
Navya Gupta (17) is a YBSS participant because she wants to know how people are working around the world in her favorite subject of physics. This Indian student had never heard of Brainport and found out about the existence of YBSS during an online search. “I am passionate about physics and because I had time in the summer to see for myself how other countries approach this subject, I searched for possibilities for visiting on the internet. I found this summer school and so far it has been fantastic.”
It strikes her - “and I love it” - that in the Netherlands physics is mainly used for practical purposes. Once she has completed her high school studies in India this coming academic year, she hopes eventually to study physics in the United States.
In-depth
While the 11 girls and 27 boys come from 22 different countries, the group does include eight Dutch students. Like Luuk Schot (16) from Best, who is here on the advice of his physics teacher. Next year he will be studying level 5 of pre-university education (5 VWO) and by taking part now he hopes to gain a more in-depth understanding than is offered by open days, some of which he has already attended. Although he could come by bike, he opted for the Student Hotel. “It makes it feel like a vacation.”
Luuk has noticed that everyone has the same mindset and realizes he has already learned a great deal. “And, of course, it looks good on my resume,” says this high school student. Tomorrow he will be attending a lecture by TU/e professor Bert Koopmans about nanomagnetism.
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