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Press release 15 / 2016 04/01/2016
“Future: Technology” at INTERMODELLBAU Fit for a MINT career
Dortmund (AWe) – From 20 to 24 April 2016, INTERMODELLBAU, the world’s largest
exhibition for model-making and model sport will delight hobby model makers once again.
Model-making can, however, be much more than just a leisure time activity. It can train skills
that qualify for careers. This year, part of INTERMODELLBAU will be dedicated to the career
opportunities that model-making offers. The new theme “Future: Technology“ can be found
in Hall 6. INTERMODELLBAU will also feature a brand new 3D printer construction set.
School classes, work and project groups from Dortmund receive free transportation and
admission to the exhibition.
Enthusiasm for technology, precision, and creative problem
solving: these characterise passionate model makers and are
also prerequisites for “MINT” school subjects. MINT stands for
the academic disciplines mathematics, information sciences,
natural sciences, and technology. In our modern, high-tech world,
knowledge of these four subject areas is increasingly important.
That’s why schools and universities try to promote early interest in
MINT subjects. Vocational training or a university education in
MINT opens exciting career opportunities. And yet, in September
2015, the Cologne Institute for Economic Research established a
six-figure skilled labour gap for MINT careers in its MINT Autumn
Report 2015. INTERMODELLBAU wants to make a small
contribution to solving this problem by uniting interesting
exhibitors that will show children, teens, and their families how
fascinating science and technology can be.
At the Hands on Technology e.V. stand, for example, the project
First LEGO League will be presenting itself. First LEGO League is
an educational programme for children and teens between the
ages of 10 and 16. The participants experience science and
technology in a fun way. At the same time, they develop soft
skills, such as the ability to work in a team and to accept criticism.
Under the supervision of a coach, teams with three to ten children
and teens design, build, and programme robots. The group also
researches a question for a current topic. At the end of the group
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work there is a competition in which the robots have to
accomplish various challenges and an expert jury judges the
research projects. At INTERMODELLBAU, visitors can observe
the robots while they are performing their “work”or actively
participate, experiment, and build in workshops.
Cranes, robotics and 3D printers
For 50 years, fischertechnik construction kits have been well
known as educational toys and are used in schools and at
universities. In addition to starter sets for children, the company
sells building sets for recreating industrial plants. At the stand
6.G14, models by the fischertechnik community (ftc) will
demonstrate that fischertechnik products are not only entertaining
toys for children but can be used to create technically complex
models and achievements. ftc is an international community of
fischertechnik model makers. At INTERMODELLBAU, it presents
a diverse variety of models. Models of fun parks, cranes, clocks,
and robots fascinate visitors. The model makers have been
working on some of the elaborate pieces for years and
continuously expanding them.
At INTERMODELLBAU, fischertechnik will also be presenting a
3D printer from a construction kit for the very first time. The 3D
printer allows model makers to build their own 3D printers using
familiar building elements from the construction set and thereby
learn how the printers function. With the 3D printer, model makers
can also create products like storage boxes from CAD data. With
the 3D printer, fischertechnik is taking up a hot trend that is sure
to interest all young technology fans. Invented around 30 years
ago, 3D printing technology is considered by science and
industry to be a production method with a big future.
Aircraft manufacturers are already producing cabin elements
using 3D printing technology; sport articles manufacturers are
making soles for running shoes; fashion companies are printing
clothes. Since 2009, the technology can also be used for private
purposes.
Model-making in industry
Model-making is not only found in the hobby sector but also in
Germany’s factory halls. At stand 6.G08 at INTERMODELLBAU,
the Bundesverband für Modell- und Formenbau (Federal
Association of Model and Mould Makers) informs visitors about
e.g. educational programmes for becoming a technical model
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maker. Model makers can be found nearly everywhere in
industry. They are the connecting link between product
development and the manufacturing industry. In addition to scale
demonstration models, model makers create e.g. foundry
patterns. The work is creative and varied. Model makers work
with diverse materials such as wood, plastic, or light metals, and
state-of-the-art machines. Those who take up hobby model-
making early will have an excellent head start in the skills needed
for this profession. Visitors can gather lots of information and tips
at INTERMODELLBAU.
Tickets in the online shop
INTERMODELLBAU at Messe Westfalenhallen Dortmund
presents model aircrafts, railways, ships, vehicles, and figures –
the whole fascinating world of model-making in eight halls.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased quickly,
conveniently, and easily from home in the INTERMODELLBAU
online shop. The tickets can be printed out directly at home.
Visitors pay less with the “print at home ticket” than when they
purchase at the exhibition and avoid waiting in lines. Admission
for adults: € 12.00 when purchased in advance. The ticket
includes admission to EXPERTEC, the expert forum for active
model flyers (22-24 April). Many technical aspects of model flying
are featured here.
In collaboration with DSW21 Dortmunder Stadtwerke AG,
Westfalenhallen Dortmund is offering school classes, work and
project groups from Dortmund free transportation and admission
to the exhibition. Teachers interested in this offer can register their
classes by email at [email protected].
All other youth groups with a minimum of 10 persons can
purchase tickets at the exhibition for € 7.00 per person.
Information and tickets:
www.intermodellbau.de
More information:
Exhibition blog: www.blog.intermodellbau.de
facebook: www.facebook.de/intermodellbau
Contact for media enquiries:
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Westfalenhallen Dortmund, Marketing- und Unternehmenskommunikation. Tel.: 0231 / 12 04–514, Fax:–724 Email: [email protected]
