Gender stereotypes in career and study choices are undisputedly still present. For example, there is an above-average number of male students and researchers in the natural sciences, while more feminine-coded professions such as educators are generally practiced by women. To counteract this, “Girls' Day” and “Boys' Day” have been taking place across Germany for many years, giving pupils the chance to get a taste of professions that are otherwise considered “typically male” or “typically female”.

In order to promote the proportion of women in the natural sciences, the Erwin L. Hahn Institute for MRI once again hosted Girls' Day. The offer to spend a day as an MRI physicist was quickly booked up. Eight girls ages 11 to 14 got hold of the coveted places and arrived at the ELH on the morning of April 3.

A brief introduction to magnetic resonance imaging and 3D printing was followed by a tour of the three floors of the ELH, during which the schoolgirls literally climbed on top of the MRI system. They then went into the MRI room, where the girls were able to “feel” the magnetic field with the help of aluminum plates and balls filled with coins.

Freshly fortified after a short break, the practical part followed: an LED tube was to be made to light up with the help of a copper wire. And immediately afterwards, the girls were allowed to calibrate an antenna on an orange, which was then inserted into the MRI and scanned. The final part was the scan of a test person, in which the functional MRI was displayed.

The program ended at 1 p.m. with many new impressions for the students, who were full of praise for the day at ELH. We are delighted that everyone had so much fun.

We would also like to take this opportunity to say a special thank you to Oliver Kraff, Kim Jotzo, Annika Verheyen, Carolin Stevens, Celina Kersting, Ahmed Habeel and Laia Sulaiman for planning and organizing the successful Girls' Day at ELH!