The project consists of the development and implementation of taster days and the expansion and loan of iLab research kits. Basic and advanced courses in chemistry and biology at upper secondary level are given the opportunity to spend a day at the bioprocess engineering department to gain an initial insight into the biochemical and chemical engineering course at TU Kaiserslautern. Among other things, the change in raw materials in the chem. Industry will be explained and practical examples will be used to show that products made from renewable raw materials are already an integral part of our everyday lives. Various experiments are then carried out in small groups in the laboratories of the department. In the "Photometry" part of the experiment, students work with a simple photometer (developed by our cooperation partner "desklab"). The complexity of this measuring device has been reduced so that students can better understand the measuring method themselves and not just use a "black box". All modules can be taken apart down to the basic components, which enables a deeper understanding of the measuring method. Furthermore, the learning group is accompanied by digital worksheets with integrated aids. All modules can be taken apart down to the basic components, which enables a deeper understanding of the measuring method. The learning group is also supported by digital worksheets with integrated aids. The so-called HyperDocs already proved their worth last year. A revised version of the digital worksheets now also allows fully digital use on tablets, for example. In addition, the existing learning material is to be optimized with the help of the usage statistics of the aids. Over 2100 pupils and teachers have attended our courses since 2010.

In 2019, four iLab research kits (experimental kits) were developed under the motto "iLAB-Explore mechanical & process Engineering" under the direction of BioVT in cooperation with the children's researchers from Hamburg. The research kits can be borrowed by teachers for school lessons in grades 9 to 13. In addition, the Department of Bioprocess Engineering offers iLAB workshops by students for pupils in schools. There are currently four different research kits available to borrow: "From yeast to biological and chemical engineering at TUK", "From helicopter design to mechanical engineering at TUK", "From self-building machines to mechanical engineering at TUK", "From flows to energy and process engineering at TUK". A further research box on the topic of "Algae growth in bioreactors" in combination with the topic of "Photometry" is being developed as part of this project.  

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