Girls' Day: Science Is Not a Male-Dominated Field

STEM on the rise: According to the Federal Statistical Office, more than a third of all first-year students in mathematics, computer science, and the natural and engineering sciences in 2024 were women. A record high, but one that still leaves room for improvement. For Girls’ Day 2026, the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) therefore once again opened its laboratories and research workshops to around 170 schoolgirls from Hamburg. Hands-on workshops gave the young participants, aged 10 to 16, insight into the university’s various research areas and offered them the opportunity to get involved themselves.

First Steps into Science

“Technology is not a male-dominated field,” clarified Prof. Irina Smirnova, Vice President for Research at TU Hamburg, in her welcome address in Audimax I. “Science is also done by women. That’s why we need you to look at things from a different perspective. It all starts with a first step—and your first step is today.” Reflecting on her own scientific career, she also noted: “Perhaps in 20 years, one of you will be standing here in my position, welcoming the next generation of young girls.”

Prof. Anna-Lena Heins, Head of the Institute of Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering, also shared personal insights into her scientific career while providing a brief introduction to biotechnology. Following this, Elnaz Hadjiloo, a research assistant at the Institute of Geotechnical Engineering and Construction Management, shared her enthusiasm for civil engineering with the students. Finally, student Sandra Ohlhäuser presented the shipbuilding program using a pedal boat on display.

During a campus tour, the participants also had the opportunity to ask TU students directly about their studies and everyday life in academia. The students then split into groups and headed to workshops scattered across the campus, for which they had registered in advance on the Girls’ Day website.

14 workshops fully booked

Here, the participants experienced firsthand the full spectrum of scientific research at TUHH: from the launch of an air- and water-powered rocket to the mathematics behind weather forecasts and search engines, all the way to the design of solar-powered boats. The mix of theory and practice impressively demonstrated just how diverse technical careers can be—even in unusual places like the North Pole, as the shipbuilding workshop showed.

Demand for the 14 workshops was enormous. Nina Schulte, coordinator of youth development at TUHH, was delighted by the large turnout: “I’m thrilled by how many great workshops come together every year and that we were fully booked so quickly again this year. It’s a joy to be able to inspire so many young girls about TUHH and research.”

Girls’ Day is sponsored by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women, and Youth (BMFSFJ) and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). According to the organizers, more than 2.5 million spots have been available for children and young people since 2001.