Tomorrow's scientists

Five days full of curiosity, experimentation, and digital discoveries lie behind the 25 young people who took part in the Plansee Group's #DigitalDays 2025 holiday program. They enthusiastically immersed themselves in the world of science, technology, and digitalization and came a good deal closer to it.

The Plansee Group in Reutte organized #DigitalDays for the seventh time. The program was once again supported by Werkhaus Reutte, a non-profit workshop for modern technologies, as a cooperation partner. The free program is aimed at young people aged 12 to 14 from the Außerfern and Allgäu regions who are interested in technology. This year, it once again offered practical insights into the digital world and the everyday life of apprentices at the Plansee Group. The participants not only received a tour of the training center, but the apprentices also presented their professions and talked about how varied training in a high-tech company can be.

At the festive closing event, the young people presented to their families what they had created during the 35 hours of the holiday program: video games they had developed themselves, objects produced with a 3D printer, a programmed toothbrush robot that mastered an obstacle course on its own, and individually designed bags printed with a cutting plotter.

Early encouragement, lasting enthusiasm

In his speech at the beginning of the closing ceremony, Andreas Schwenninger, member of the Plansee Group's Executive Board, emphasized the importance of promoting STEM subjects: “Mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology are often neglected in schools and kindergartens. We want to spark interest and encourage curiosity at an early age. The large number of applications shows how great the need for such programs is.”

The Werkhaus Reutte regularly holds open workshops for children and young people, who can use 3D printers, laser cutters, and other equipment. Thanks to a voucher, participants can now use the facilities eight times free of charge.

In addition to certificates and a gift bag, the children took home new skills, exciting impressions, and perhaps even an initial impulse for a future career in the technical or digital field.

Photos: Lisa Immler