From 4 to 8 August 2025, OTH Regensburg and Infineon Technologies AG Regensburg hosted the ‘From Sand to Microchip’ research camp for female students. Fifteen schoolgirls aged 15 and above from all over Bavaria took the opportunity to engage intensively with STEM topics and discover their own interests and abilities.
The aim of the camp was to inspire girls to pursue scientific and technical courses of study and careers. In practical workshops and laboratory exercises, the participants gained insights into the world of microchips, sensors and semiconductor technology. The programme took place at both OTH Regensburg and Infineon Technologies AG Regensburg.
After arriving and getting to know each other on Sunday evening, the camp started on Monday morning with a welcome address by Andrea Stelzl, Head of the Student Lifecycle Centre at OTH Regensburg. She emphasised the special features of this type of university and highlighted the application and practical orientation of teaching and research. ‘As an engineer, you will work on solutions to the problems of our time.’
Three students then presented their degree programmes: Biomedical Engineering, Medical Informatics and Microsystems Technology. Prof. Dr. Martin Kammler from the Faculty of Applied Natural and Cultural Sciences provided an initial technical insight, vividly explaining the world of micro- and nanostructures and the basics of semiconductor technology.
A highlight was the visit to the clean room at OTH Regensburg, where the students learned about the most important stages of chip production under the guidance of Dagmar Hornik, chemical-technical assistant. The participants were particularly impressed by the clean room technology and the fact that the air there is even cleaner than in an operating theatre.
Over the following days, the students produced their own microchips – from so-called wafers, wafer-thin discs made of high-purity silicon extracted from sand. They were supported in this by engineer Ingrid Igl, a graduate of the microsystems technology programme at OTH Regensburg.
Using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), the participants examined samples they had brought with them, such as pollen and insect legs. Microsystems engineering student Angelina Pastötter provided expert guidance. The students also received information about STEM degree programmes and tips on choosing a course of study.
A campus tour rounded off the university days. The participants encountered student projects such as the Formula Student Team's vehicles, concrete canoes and prototypes from the field of medical technology.
The students spent the last two days at Infineon Technologies AG Regensburg. In addition to a factory tour and building their own robots, they developed ‘products of the future’ using microchips in creative workshops. These were presented on Friday at the closing event at OTH Regensburg – in front of company representatives, university staff and proud parents.
The research camp is part of the ‘Technology – Future in Bavaria’ educational initiative and is free of charge for participants. The initiative is sponsored by the Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft e. V. (Bavarian Industry Training Association). The main sponsors are the Bavarian metal and electrical employers' associations bayme vbm and the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy.