Girls' Day

„Should teens 12 and older be allowed to get driver's licenses?“

We will try out how to find the answer to this research question. In addition, you will get an insight into our daily work at the Institute of Automotive Engineering as an engineer and can try out practical activities as a technician yourself. Of course, we are always available to help and answer your questions. We are looking forward to meeting you!

You can find more information about the event on the official Girls' Day website.

Girls' Day 2022

This year, we were able again to welcome interested girls to the ika. As part of Girl's Day 2022, a total of 20 girls from grades seven to nine visited us and our cooperation partner, fka GmbH.

Under the motto "Driver's license for teenagers? - Research at the Institute for Automotive Engineering (ika)", the participants were able to show their knowledge and skills and gained an insight into everyday working life at the ika and fka.

A guided tour, lectures and a quiz filled the morning before we went to the test track after the lunch break and the girls were allowed to drive a car by themselves. After successfully passing the "practical driving test", all participants received a driving license as a souvenir.

We are very pleased that this day met with great interest among the girls and hope that we will be able to welcome many participants again next year.

and 3 more pictures

Girls' Day 2021

Unfortunately, due to Corona, Girls' Day 2021 had to be held digitally.

Girls' Day 2020

Should teenagers 12 and over be allowed to drive? - Research at the Institute for Automotive Engineering

In 2020, we again invited interested girls aged 12 to 16 to Girls' Day at the ika. Together with them, we conducted a study in which they could prove that young people can also drive. Afterwards, we evaluated the results together and answered the research questions. In addition to the study, the girls also got an insight into our daily work at the Institute for Automotive Engineering (ika) and were able to try out practical car-related activities themselves. We thought it was great and are looking forward to next year!

Girls' Day 2019

"What's research?- "Should teenagers 12 and over be allowed to drive?"

Once again this year, young people were spoilt for choice and were able to get a taste of various professions or scientific fields at 32 institutes, chairs and workshops of the RWTH Aachen University in a total of 36 workshops (31 for girls and 5 for boys). The workshops offered accommodation for 358 girls and 52 boys from grades 5 to 10 of all school types.

At our ika, 12 girls were able to conduct their own study in order to answer the research question of the workshop "Driving licence for young people? - Research at the Institute for Motor Vehicles", to try out practical car-related activities and to gain an insight into the daily work at the ika. A driver's license was given to everyone as souvenir. Further information about the event can be found on the website.

Fotos vom 28.03.2019

Girls' Day 2018

ika at Girls’ Day in Aachen

"What is research?" As you can find answers to exciting research questions, this year at Girls' Day we tried it out together with 15 technical enthusiastic young girls aged 12 to 14 years. To this end, we have undertaken the topic "Should young people over 12 years of age be allowed to take their driving licence?" and carried out a small study in which the girls initially acted as test persons. Together, we looked at individual elements of the driving licence test and tested them ourselves. So the girls were able to drive their own car on the ika test track. Finally, the collected findings were evaluated and the results discussed with the girls in order to gain first insights into scientific work.