The discovery days ("Schnuppertage") offer high school students the opportunity to come to the university for two days (Mon./Tues. or Wed./Thurs.) and attend regular courses. These two days are accompanied by a supplementary program with general information. The discovery days are designed to complement and can be incorporated into career and study exploration classes. The program over the two days consists of the following three components.

1. Welcome and introduction

We will meet at 8:30 a.m. in the foyer of the PEG building on the Westend Campus. From there, we will walk together to a lecture hall where the introductory lecture will take place. The lecture will cover the following topics

• Personal responsibility and study demands
• Academic education vs. vocational education
• A short presentation of the Goethe University Frankfurt and the courses it offers
• Organization of the discovery days program
• The lecture lasts about 60 minutes

2. Visiting lectures

After the welcome, the pupils can participate in regular lectures of the teaching staff for two days. They can choose what interests them from a selection of approximately 400 classes in virtually all departments.

We expect pupils to attend two lectures per day and to keep a short record of each one.

3. Reflection

At the end of the discovery days, the pupils complete a reflection sheet that encourages them to record their experiences at the university and then reflect on what they need to bring with them - both personally and professionally - in order to be successful in their studies. These reflection sheets help to ensure that the university visit has been fully utilized and that pupils are able to take a fresh look at what they have experienced. They can also be used by the school for its own follow-up.

During the week of the visit, a digital group office hour is available for those pupils who have questions about their chosen course of study or about the application and admissions process in general after their visit to the university.

While pupils are attending courses in the different areas of study, teachers are welcome to do the same or to use the time in other ways. It is important for the teachers to be present, especially during the welcome and closing ceremonies. The presence of the teachers greatly increases the level of engagement in these events.

Target group

The discovery days are aimed at pupils in the qualification phase (Q1-Q4) of upper secondary schools or specialized upper secondary schools. The event is designed for groups of students registered through the school and is ideally integrated into the study and career choice classes of the high school.