Visit to Adam-Kraft-Gymnasium, Schwabach: Focus on Critical Raw Materials
As part of the GeoZentrum Nordbayern’s outreach activities, M.Sc. Patrick Hehn and M.Sc. Esther Harß, both PhD candidates of the Endogenous Geodynamics research group (GeoZentrum Nordbayern, FAU) visited 13th-grade classes at Adam-Kraft-Gymnasium in Schwabach on November 25 and December 9 2025.
During two specially designed geography lessons, the students were introduced to current research at the GeoZentrum, the structure of the geoscientific study programs, and the wide range of field excursions offered. The latter, in particular, sparked strong interest among the students. The thematic focus was on critical raw materials, a key component of the 13th-grade geography curriculum. Following an introduction to ore deposit geology and the significance of critical raw materials, students were invited to work independently in groups on selected commodities (lithium, cobalt, copper, and rare earth elements). They discussed global occurrences, future supply and demand trends, as well as mining conditions and their impacts on people and the environment. The results were subsequently presented to the class in short presentations. Overall, the students showed a high level of interest in the topics covered.
