Weingarten Grammar School and Ravensburg-Weingarten University of Applied Sciences (RWU) have officially sealed their long-standing collaboration by signing a joint cooperation agreement. The agreement was signed by the two rectors, Prof. Dr. Thomas Spägele (RWU) and Dr. Steffen Brand (Gymnasium Weingarten).
The agreement formalizes an educational partnership that has existed for many years and has created close links, particularly in the field of science and technology. Weingarten Grammar School was one of the first eight schools in Baden-Württemberg to take part in the "Science and Technology (NwT) in the sixth form" trial.
Since the subject was introduced, RWU has been supporting the school - with technical exchanges, projects and competitions, among other things. One example is the bridge building competition, which, according to head of department Matthias Metzler, "would hardly have been possible without the support and knowledge transfer from the university".
Photovoltaic island system for the school's own biotope
The school and university are currently working together as part of the RWU research project ELEVATE. The project is developing practical learning modules on renewable energies and electromobility. As this content is closely linked to the NwT curriculum in the upper school, a joint learning project is currently being developed: The pupils are planning and installing a photovoltaic island system for the school's own biotope.
Until now, there was no suitable energy supply for microscopy work or measurement data transmission. Through theoretical units and practical experiments in RWU's e-mobility laboratory, the young people learn the basics of photovoltaics, the design of small off-grid systems and how to use energy storage systems. The aim is to create a functioning system that can be used for further experiments in the future.
Study and career guidance
In addition to these projects, there are other areas of cooperation: As part of MINT Discovery, classes from the grammar school regularly take part in RWU Code Week and project days at LAB4DTE. A study information day with workshops for Year 1 is also planned for February 2026 to provide study and career guidance.
The agreement that has now been concluded strengthens this successful collaboration and lays the foundation for further joint projects that introduce pupils to scientific work and technical topics of the future at an early age.
Text: Heike Krumm / Christoph Oldenkotte
