How can smartphones be stored in the classroom in a way that is both practical and respectful? Teachers from Anton-Balster Secondary School and staff from the Technology Campus (TC) in Neustadt an der Donau worked together to explore this question. The result is a bespoke storage system that combines educational requirements with technological innovation.
It all started with an idea from teacher Vera Brebeck, who was already familiar with the OTH Regensburg STEM initiative. She approached the Technology Campus with a specific question: “How can we store our pupils’ mobile phones during lessons in a way that ensures they are treated both safely and with respect?”
Working alongside Dr Andreas Kastenmeier and the team at TC Neustadt an der Donau, the project was tackled in a structured manner – following the model of industrial development processes. Following an analysis of the requirements and an initial cost estimate, the idea of a safe with customised compartments quickly took shape.
Jan Loos, M.Sc., was responsible for the technical implementation, developing an initial prototype using 3D printing. This made it possible to test the device on various smartphone models in practice and to optimise the design. Deputy Headteacher Jan Brucker was also involved in the testing phase. In the next step, the system was further developed on the computer using CAD software and refined for production. In addition to functionality, surface quality also played an important role in this process.
The finished storage system was finally unveiled at Anton-Balster Secondary School. Headteacher Harald Wintersberger and Neustadt’s mayor, Thomas Memmel, were impressed by the successful combination of educational needs and technical implementation.
Prof. Ingo Ehrlich, Scientific Director of the TCND, emphasised the importance of such projects: “This example clearly demonstrates how knowledge transfer between universities and regional partners can work in practice.”
The partnership is already continuing: in July, two Year 5 classes from the school have been invited to a Science Lab at the Technology Campus to experience research first-hand and gain an insight into technical working methods.
