How it all began...
Inspired by the German Lernort Labor initiative, Karl-Heinz Wagner und Dr. Groh developed the first concept for a student laboratory at Bayer in early 2005. The next step was the search for partners inside the chemical company who would be ready to provide financial support for this idea. In the fall of 2005, the subsidiary Bayer MaterialScience (BMS) was won over as a host of the student laboratory.
In cooperation with the already existing student laboratories of the German Aerospace Center and the Research Center Jülich, we compiled a list of contents and topics for our hands-on student laboratory. In only one year, we found suitable rooms, remodeled and redesigned them and equipped them with high-end technology. This fast realization was only possible with the active and generous help from many Partners.
In the meantime, we continued to work on the contents, developing possible experiments for student groups and integrating BMS topics into the concept. At the end of 2006, test groups tried out the experiments and the educational concept. In January 2007, we were able to welcome the first student groups at the lab. During this test phase, we received valuable feedback that helped us fine-tuning the educational concept. Already at this early stage, the feedback was so positive that we hosted three student groups every week.
The public relations department of Bayer Industry Services (now named Currenta) provided organizational support and still helps us to manage the tremendous stream of visitors. We also hired additional staff and established workplaces for trainees. At the beginning of October 2007, Baylab plastics was finally and officially inaugurated.
Today Baylab plastics is not only used by student groups of all types of secondary schools, vocational schools with technical programs, colleges and universities, but also by staff members and BMS customers, who seize the opportunity to allow their partners or families a glance into the interesting world of plastics. Baylab plastics also offer courses for teachers as part of post-graduate on-the-job teacher training.
In cooperation with the already existing student laboratories of the German Aerospace Center and the Research Center Jülich, we compiled a list of contents and topics for our hands-on student laboratory. In only one year, we found suitable rooms, remodeled and redesigned them and equipped them with high-end technology. This fast realization was only possible with the active and generous help from many Partners.
In the meantime, we continued to work on the contents, developing possible experiments for student groups and integrating BMS topics into the concept. At the end of 2006, test groups tried out the experiments and the educational concept. In January 2007, we were able to welcome the first student groups at the lab. During this test phase, we received valuable feedback that helped us fine-tuning the educational concept. Already at this early stage, the feedback was so positive that we hosted three student groups every week.
The public relations department of Bayer Industry Services (now named Currenta) provided organizational support and still helps us to manage the tremendous stream of visitors. We also hired additional staff and established workplaces for trainees. At the beginning of October 2007, Baylab plastics was finally and officially inaugurated.
Today Baylab plastics is not only used by student groups of all types of secondary schools, vocational schools with technical programs, colleges and universities, but also by staff members and BMS customers, who seize the opportunity to allow their partners or families a glance into the interesting world of plastics. Baylab plastics also offer courses for teachers as part of post-graduate on-the-job teacher training.