Engineering Talents at Europa-Park: KIT Students Experience Hands-On Learning

On October 21, 2024, around 350 first-year students from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) participated in a special welcome event at Europa-Park. The event was organized by Europa-Park owner Dr.-Ing. h.c. Roland Mack provided students with an inspiring glimpse into the world of engineering, merging theory with practical insights. The event highlighted the long-standing collaboration between KIT, MACK Rides, and Europa-Park aimed at fostering the next generation of engineers.

Long-standing Collaboration to Support Young Engineers

This event is part of the long-standing partnership between the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), MACK Rides, and Europa-Park. For many years, these institutions have worked together to foster young talent and future engineers. Dr.-Ing. Roland Mack, himself a KIT graduate, has supported this collaboration by organizing such practical and engaging events. Since 2012, he has also provided support to talented students through the “Roland-Mack-Maschinenbau-Stipendium” (Roland Mack Mechanical Engineering Scholarship). This collaboration aims to give students valuable insights into the practical application of their theoretical knowledge and motivate them for their future engineering careers.

Creative Tower-Building Challenge: Technical Skills on Display

One of the event’s main highlights was the “Euro-Tower” challenge, where students showcased their creativity and technical understanding. Working in teams, they built freestanding towers made of spaghetti and marshmallows, aiming to create the tallest and most stable structure. After 30 minutes of intense planning and construction, one team successfully erected an impressive 130-cm-tall tower. This task required both engineering skills and teamwork—key competencies that will prove essential in the students' future careers.

Exclusive Backstage Tour for the Winning Team

The team that won the tower-building challenge was rewarded with an exclusive backstage tour of Europa-Park. The aspiring engineers gained fascinating insights into the technical workings of the “blue fire Megacoaster” launch coaster. Here, they learned firsthand how mechanics, electronics, and hydraulics come together in one of Europe’s most advanced roller coasters. These technical details gave students valuable real-world examples that go beyond the classic academic curriculum.

Theory Meets Practice: Inspiration at Europa-Park

The KIT students’ welcome event offered not only a chance to connect with fellow students and gain their first practical experiences but also served as an inspiring start to their academic journey. Europa-Park, known for its technical innovations and engineering marvels, provided the perfect setting to demonstrate how theoretical knowledge is applied in practice. The event impressively underscored that engineering excellence extends beyond theory into exciting and meaningful real-world applications.

Motivational speeches from industry leaders

The day began with an inspiring speech from Dr. Volker Klaiber, Director of Operations and Service at Europa-Park. Speaking from the grand Berlin Ballroom in the Deutsche Allee, he welcomed the future engineers with words of encouragement: “Today marks the beginning of an adventurous journey for you. Let the joy and enthusiasm you feel here in this extraordinary family business inspire your future.” Professor Christoph Stiller, designated Dean of the KIT Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, also addressed the students, emphasizing the importance of hands-on applications in mechanical engineering and expressing his gratitude to Roland Mack for his commitment to supporting KIT students.

Experiencing Engineering in Action at Europa-Park

After the tower-building challenge, the students had the opportunity to explore Europa-Park on their own. Over 100 attractions, showcasing a perfect synergy of engineering, innovation, and creativity, were available for them to experience. The students were particularly impressed by the technical details and engineering precision behind the park’s many rides. The day at Europa-Park left a lasting impression on the young engineers, inspiring them for the challenges that lie ahead in their professional careers.

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