Regional STEM network Science@Seas starts: Register now for the first programs for secondary school students

On December 1, 2020, marks the launch of the STEM cluster "Science@Seas" which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The association of research institutions in Schleswig-Holstein, participants in education and training, and companies will show students the opportunities that mathematics, computer science, natural science, and technology (STEM) offer. The cluster will combine opportunities for young people, such as training in research, creative craft development or entrepreneurship, as well as the presentation of STEM in a joint concept. Other components include a competition as an interface between STEM and major social challenges, as well as regional STEM festivals. The aim is to build on this by encouraging young people to work together, even across individual school locations, and to support this through a direct exchange with scientists and entrepreneurs.

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"The new STEM cluster is another building block in our comprehensive STEM program," says Karin Prien, Minister of Education, Science and Culture for the state of Schleswig-Holstein. "Schools, science and industry are working together closely to offer students additional opportunities to gain insights into the diversity of the STEM field, deepen their knowledge, apply it and put it into practice. I would like to thank everyone involved for their great commitment and wish this ambitious project every success."

 

 

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Prof. Dr. Ilka Parchmann, Deputy Scientific Director of the IPN, emphasizes the networking opportunities for young people in this project, in addition to the collaboration among the partners. "I am very pleased that with the approval of our regional STEM cluster in Schleswig-Holstein, this new collaboration is possible and that, in addition to the regional STEM forum, we can thus also involve young people in a continued joint thinking about a future in STEM. Our aim with the program is to get young people as well as their parents and immediate environment excited about STEM opportunities and to highlight future prospects." Another focus of the cluster's work is to promote the institutional and societal perspective focusing on mutually developing opportunities, Parchmann added.

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An afternoon program offered by the Technische Akademie Nord (TAN) for students in grades 8 and 9 will start in Kiel as early as February. Here, participants will learn where mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology are applied in practice - especially including the latest and contemporary technologies such as robotics and virtual reality. A regularly recurring, modularly bookable STEM practical experience is planned at the Kiel location, which focuses on the students' own experience and testing through low-threshold, action-oriented micro-projects. At the same time, the program supports the individual strengths and career choice skills of boys and girls. "The implementation of the offers is intended to relieve the schools. These benefit from the many possibilities of modular integration, such as in elective classes or during project weeks," explains TAN Managing Director Katja Buhs. "We are pleased to be able to start directly with a virtual course on the topic of 'Program a calculator yourself'." Registration is now open by emailing [Email protection active, please enable JavaScript.]

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From April 1st, children and youth between the ages of 10 and 16 can register for the YES! STEM Challenge of the ZBW - Leibniz Information Center for Economics. Building on the YES! - Young Economic Summit, one of the largest school competitions around societal and economic challenges for the younger generation, young people here will explore the interplay between economic and environmental issues. "We are excited to connect children, young adults and researchers along the UN Sustainable Development Goals and I am convinced that there will be exciting results," said Dr. Willi Scholz, YES! project manager at the ZBW.

Fotos: www.anjamenzel.de; Copyright: Phänomenta Flensburg

On the one hand, the events of the European University Flensburg (EUF) build on the established programs of the Phänomenta. On the other hand, it is breaking new ground: Following the example of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival (SHMF), it is conceptualizing and organizing a STEM Culture Festival. A total of 15 festival events in entertaining and diverse formats are planned for the project period, which will address the relevance of STEM for society as well as for the state and reach children, young adults and families throughout the region. Prof. Dr. Peter Heering, Vice President for Research at EUF, is responsible for their development: "With the STEM Culture festivals, which will take place throughout the state, we want to give children, young people and adults access to the fascination of science and technical phenomena," explains the physics professor. "The year 2020 in particular has made clear the social relevance of scientific research. Here, it is (also) important that people develop or have an understanding of sciences, its working methods and the reliability, but sometimes also the provisional nature of statements."

Fotos: www.anjamenzel.de; Copyright: Phänomenta Flensburg

About Science@Seas:
The regional Science@Seas network, led by the Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN), aims to expand and consolidate existing STEM opportunities and structures in the Schleswig-Holstein region under a common umbrella brand. Along with the Technische Akademie Nord e.V. (TAN), the ZBW - Leibniz Information Center for Economics, the European University Flensburg (EUF) as well as the Research Forum Schleswig-Holstein and companies active there, aim to further strengthen the importance and opportunities of STEM (mathematics, information technology, natural sciences and technology) in the public eye and also in the minds of young people.

The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding the Science@Seas MINT cluster with a sum of €571,900 during the initial three-year project period from 12.2020 to 11.2023.

Background to STEM clusters:

With the STEM Action Plan, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has provided an important impetus to strengthen STEM education. A central new measure of this STEM Action Plan is the expansion of STEM education opportunities for children and young adults through the funding of regional STEM partnerships (so-called STEM clusters), which are now starting their work. In the first round of funding, 22 such STEM partnerships were selected in a competitive process.

In the STEM partnerships, institutions for children and young adults, student laboratories and student research centers, STEM associations, educational institutions, museums, regional business development institutions, companies, academies, municipalities, cities and districts, research institutions and universities come together in different constellations in cooperation with other supporters to get children and young adults interested in STEM subjects. Funding is provided for STEM partnerships that further develop the quality of existing STEM programs, as well as for STEM partnerships that establish or consolidate STEM programs in regions where there have previously been very few.

Contact:
Leibniz Institute for Science and Mathematics Education (IPN)
Prof. Dr. Ilka Parchmann
Tel: +49 431 880-3494