How does modern study orientation work, and how can teachers provide convincing advice to their students? Under the motto "How-to Study Orientation in STEM?", the Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM) invited teachers to a practice-oriented professional development workshop in Friedberg.
The teachers, mostly from the Wetterau region, took the opportunity to gain a firsthand impression of what awaits STEM students (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology) at THM of Applied Sciences. They could choose from four practical programs and participate in them themselves: The "3D Printing" program presented applications ranging from traditional mechanical engineering and architecture to marketing. "Experiencing Electrical Engineering" allowed participants to simulate and understand LED blink signals without a microcontroller. The "Basic Physics Lab" explained the structure of a physics degree at THM , covering topics from atomic physics to thermodynamics. Finally, "Metallurgy under the Microscope" demonstrated how mechanical engineering students prepare and analyze samples.
Prof. Dr. Fabian Mink from the organizing team welcomed the group and introduced the compact program. After a look behind the scenes – for example, at the OpenA5 makerspace, the rooms of Department M, and the electrical engineering Department IEM – the instructors participated in the orientation programs and gained direct experience from a student perspective.
A key component of the Further education program was the simulation of a personal students advisory service : In role-playing exercises, participants rehearsed typical advising situations with Anne Leßmann and Martin Kuulmann from the central students advisory service . This gave the teachers insight not only into the content and services offered, but also into the form and process of individual advising. Afterwards, Sarah Stolle presented the other study orientation services offered by THM and demonstrated how schools and the university can collaborate more effectively.
In conclusion, Florian Cöster from the State School Authority gave an outlook on the FIT student information day on November 4, 2025, which is offered in cooperation with the authority and provides additional insights and opportunities for participation for interested students.