… TU Graz StreeTech and me: Same same but different

What do the student teams of TU Graz and Lisa Friessnig have in common? An event! More precisely, the ‘TU Graz StreeTech – the next generation’ which takes place in the heart of the Graz old town on 16th June. Just for one day Main Square and ‘Eiserne Tor’ will become a playground for student project teams and anyone who wants to participate. How this came about and what visitors can expect, is explained here by the event coordinator in the TU Graz blog.

hacking the Mars rover live, paddling the concrete canoes in the fountain at Eiserne Tor, an obstacle course for cargo bikes, changing tyres of genuine racing cars – and this is only a few ideas which came up at our first meeting.

How it came about

The idea of advertising the different university courses of TU Graz using fascinating student-team projects as examples had already been done when I became part of the TU Graz study programme marketing team in April 2017. At the time this event was just a one-liner in the draft paper: ‘event in public areas with successful student teams’. And this is how our work began. The first steps were to explore the idea of the event and to refine the concept and most important of all – to introduce it in front of the selected student teams in the autumn.

The teams get to know each other

I must admit, I was a bit nervous. It wasn’t possible to know how the event would be received by the teams – after all, all the plans had been put together in private. But the result of the introduction was complete enthusiasm on the part of the teams. The atmosphere was really good, and all the teams were actively involved and gave their input: hacking the Mars rover live, paddling the concrete canoes in the fountain at Eiserne Tor, an obstacle course for cargo bikes, changing tyres of genuine racing cars – and this is only a few ideas which came up at our first meeting. From this point on, it became clear that we’d shape the event in close coordination with the teams and we’d get a varied programme up and running for the Graz public. Even though we were feeling very motivated before the meeting, the positive feedback from the teams gave us an additional boost and strengthened our hand in our plans.
For the detailed planning of ‘TU Graz StreeTech – the next generation’, there were two more in-depth meetings with the teams. The result of this was an assorted one-day programme which was an extract of all the different projects of TU Graz students. For all those who are already curious, you can read the programme here. But let me give you our recommendation: mark down the 16th of June in your calendar and watch the teams live in action!

Video: TU Graz presents… Trailer „TU Graz StreeTech – the next generation“.

The teams involved and what they’ve prepared for you:

• <link https: www.tugraz.at tu-graz services news-stories tu-graz-news einzelansicht article tu-graz-racing-team-enthuellt-neuen-boliden _blank int-link-external external link in new>TU Graz Racing Team
  Change your tyres like a professional! Lay your hands on a genuine racer and measure yourself against the others as well as against the clock.
• <link https: www.tugraz.at tu-graz services news-stories talking-about einzelansicht article fahrzeuge-der-zukunft _blank int-link-external external link in new>TERA TU Graz
  New technologies in electro mobility! The innovative vehicles, like the IBEX, Fennek and Panther, can be seen at Main Square. And you’re even allowed to sit in the IBEX.
• <link https: www.tugraz.at tu-graz services news-stories talking-about einzelansicht article das-betonkanu-und-ich _blank int-link-external external link in new>Concrete Canoe TU Graz
  The canoe made of concrete – try it out yourself at the Eiserne Tor fountain and see if it floats. At Main Square, you can try out making concrete models yourself.
• <link https: www.tugraz.at tu-graz services news-stories talking-about einzelansicht article segeln-beim-course-croisiere-edhec _blank int-link-external external link in new>High Performance Sailing – HPS TU Graz
  Glide over the water at high speed: test your skills as a sailor: you can put your abilities to the test using model boats on the fountain at Eiserne Tor. On Main Square there is a wind tunnel where you can optimally trim your sail.
• <link https: www.tugraz.at tu-graz services news-stories talking-about einzelansicht article the-mirage-91-bci-racing-team _blank int-link-external external link in new>Graz BCI Racing Team – Mirage 91
  Control a computer using brain signals: the team will show you how it works. You can try it out yourself and guide an avatar to a target in a virtual race – using only the power of your thought.
• <link https: www.tugraz.at tu-graz services news-stories talking-about einzelansicht article hacken-mit-den-losfuzzys _blank int-link-external external link in new>LosFuzzys
  As so-called white-hat hackers, the LosFuzzys demonstrate the risks lurking in the web and how to protect yourself. Be there or be square when the team take control live of a model railway connected to the internet!
• <link https: www.tugraz.at tu-graz services news-stories talking-about einzelansicht article innovation-durch-synthetische-biologie _blank int-link-external external link in new>iGEM Team NAWI Graz
  Bacteria which control a robot? This is no longer science fiction. Be there when the robot independently finds its way inside a maze.
• <link https: www.tugraz.at tu-graz services news-stories talking-about einzelansicht article das-tu-graz-field-robotics-team-tedusar _blank int-link-external external link in new>TU Graz Field Robotics Team TEDUSAR
  Mars rover Husky introduces itself: accompany it on its expedition on Main Square and get to know its functions and range of applications.
• <link https: htu.tugraz.at news _blank int-link-external external link in new>Students’ Union of Graz University of Technology (HTU Graz)
  And how can they help? The HTU Graz team will give you lots of information about studying at TU Graz. And there’s a cargo bike obstacle course with e-bikes – just for fun.
• <link https: www.tugraz.at studium studieren-an-der-tu-graz beratung-fuer-studieninteressierte ueberblick-beratung-fuer-studieninteressierte _blank int-link-external external link in new>Study guidance at TU Graz
  Get up to speed on all the information about the 18 bachelor’s and 33 master’s programmes offered at TU Graz from the TU Graz study guidance team.

Fewer than two weeks to go until the event

The media invitations have already been sent out. All that’s left to do is just pray for good weather. Our current daily ritual: check the weather report – precautionary measures have already been put in place in case there’s a cloudburst, but of course we would prefer sunshine. Keep your fingers crossed! Final preparations are being made by the individual teams. 16th of June – we’ve got you in our sights! We’re ready and looking forward to it!