Girls’ Day – Going home with the quantum system in your pocket

On 23 April 2026, Hahn-Schickard, in collaboration with the Institute for Microintegration at the University of Stuttgart, ran a programme for girls in Years 9 and 10 as part of this year’s Girls’ Day. The focus was on ‘The Lämp’, our battery-powered, pocket-sized quantum demonstrator. With the event fully booked, we were able to give 12 girls a brief introduction to the world of quantum computing.

The event began with a welcome address explaining why one might choose to study engineering or a science subject. The girls then moved through a total of four stations in small groups. Here, they were able to observe the diamond under a microscope and, using our QOOOL Kit Fluoro, learn about the diamond’s NV centres and their fluorescence. To demonstrate further essential stages in the production of “The Lämp”, the girls had the chance to practise soldering at one station and learn about 3D printing at another. To round off the morning, everyone was able to finish assembling the pre-prepared components of ‘The Lämp’, so that later on everyone could take a quantum sensor demonstrator home in their pocket. After a pizza break, there was an introduction to and a demonstration of a real quantum sensor.

We hope we were able to give the girls an eventful day, provide them with lots of new and interesting information, and encourage them to consider a career in engineering after they finish school.