Learn Like the Pros at College! – Tips, Tricks, and Tools for Surviving High School

Twelve students from Göttenbach High School in Idar-Oberstein visited the observation lab of the Department of Economics at Mainz University of Applied Sciences on Thursday, June 26, 2025, to meet with the WIMM research group. The ninth- and tenth-grade students participated in the project “Learn Like the Pros at the University! – Tips, Tricks & Tools for Surviving School” as part of the 2025 School Project Days. The highlight was the field trip to Mainz to visit the observation lab on campus.

There, they were welcomed by Prof. Dr. Sven Pagel and his team. The students explored the observation lab and—guided by research assistants from the WIMM research group—had the opportunity to demonstrate their learning, problem-solving, and research strategies.
“Today’s students are our students of tomorrow. With this event, we want to spark enthusiasm for degree programs such as the Bachelor’s in ‘Digital Media,’” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Sven Pagel.

Taking on alternating roles, one half of the group—demonstrating teamwork, concentration, and a great deal of improvisational talent—served as test subjects tackling challenging group tasks, while the other half assumed the role of researchers. Using the equipment in the observation lab, the students collected data on the behavior and problem-solving strategies of their classmates. The observation lab at the Department of Economics at Mainz University of Applied Sciences offered an exciting, accessible, and versatile opportunity to experience research in practice.

At the end of the field trip, the group and their teachers compiled numerous insights on the topics of learning and problem-solving. Both the experience of the team task and the observations in the lab demonstrate that perseverance, concentration, fun, and teamwork are essential for learning.
“Today was truly wonderful—inspiring, warm, and full of exciting experiences,” summarized Sarah Hauck, one of the accompanying teachers from Göttenbach High School, following the visit.

More information about the observation lab and the WIMM research group can be found here:
https://www.hs-mainz.de/hochschule/persoenliche-seiten/pagel-sven-prof-dr/forschung/labore/