Berlin

 This morning we were off bright and early to the German Museum of Technology. We left the hotel around 9:00.  Dr. Mikesell assigned two students to navigate us through the trains, etc. to get there.  One of his main goals of this experience is that the students all feel capable and confident enough to navigate themselves through Europe. So we will start assigning different people to help get us from place to place so they can practice.  We had about 2.5 hours at the museum.  Dr. Mikesell was warning the students that he likes to read everything at museums, so they might not want to follow him around if they like to go faster.  One of them remarked, “Well, you did bring a bunch of geeks to a technology museum…so….”  Lol.  We all wandered around the museum in our own groups and at our own pace.  

Cool airplane from the Berlin Airlifts on top of the museum.

It is said that Berlin was built by barges.  Barges such as this one were a very common occupation and way of life for many Berliners.

Lots of engines here…

The automotive part of the museum is popular with Dr. Mikesell.

After the museum, our student navigators took us to a lunch place near our next destination, the BMW motorcycle factory of Berlin.  Then we went in for our tour.  They had a nice waiting and display area where we could check out all different kinds of motorcycles, play video games and foosball and relax on couches.  We were able to take photos there, but not on the tour.  The tour took us through two different assembly lines. There were lots of interesting things I wish I could have taken photos of.  Here are a few:

1. Many students commented on how much automation there was in the factory.  There were robots everywhere, and you had to watch out for the self driving little “delivery and pick up carts” that were just constantly driving around delivering parts. 

2. Parts.  We saw the racks of parts with the robot arms that store and retrieve them.  Theses shelving units were over 200 feet high and twice as long.  People only went in this area a couple times a year if there was a big problem to fix.  Otherwise, no humans are allowed.  The guide told us that the typical time an item stays on the shelves is a matter of hours.  The turnover of parts is incredible.

3. There were random fake trees placed around the factory. When we asked, they said that a study showed that the presence of trees makes people more careful so they put trees around.

4. In the part of the factory where all the parts are manufactured, there were many GROB machines.  Of course, these probably came from the GROB plant in Mindelheim, Germany, not from Bluffton, Ohio, but it was fun to see the GROB name all over.

5. Each BMW motorcycle is made to order.  They only make motorcycles for the orders they have.  All BMW motorcycles are made either in this plant or one other in America. (Or something like that…I think.) I think they said they can make 900 a day, and usually are close to that to keep up with the orders.

Lunch!

There were lots of wanna-be customers for different bikes.  

Group photo

Challenging Dr. Mikesell to a game of foosball while we waited for our tour.  We may have gotten told to quiet down. 

Leah’s new ride.

Last, we went to a restaurant for a group meal in a building that was built in the 1200s! We all had very traditional German food and drink.  Everyone really seemed to like it and enjoy.

I must say that David and I are really proud of these students.  They are all good spirited, flexible, responsible and just fun to be around.  The quote of the day was when we were on a train and many of us thought we were at our stop - including Dr. Mikesell.  Many of us were yelling at the people by the door (who were also the navigators) to “Get off! Get off! Get off!” Then in the confusion, when only a few of them were off the train, we realized our mistake and started yelling, “Get back on the train! Get back! Get back!” I’m sure all the locals were rolling their eyes at the crazy Americans that time.  There has been a lot of laughing and joy these two days.

I came back to the hotel after supper, but the rest of the group is currently out at a jazz bar listening to a local band and having a good time - including Dr. Mikesell!  

That is all for today!