Jasmin Fischer: The path to children's university - insights into the future of education!

Jasmin Fischer: The path to children's university - insights into the future of education!

Jasmin Fischer, who attended the children's university in Vechta in 2009 at the age of eight, has further developed her passion for education in recent years. She is now about to complete her master's degree at the University of Vechta, in mathematics and general education with chemistry as a reference subject. Her path to becoming a primary school teacher began with a voluntary social year at a special school, followed by studies that took place partly online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fischer is now putting these experiences into practice in her new role as supervisor at the Vechta 2025 Children’s University.

The children's university will take place from September 1st to 17th, 2025. She offers workshops and lectures for children aged 6 to 12. Fischer looks forward to helping the young participants feel the same enthusiasm for learning that she experienced back then. She particularly remembers the events “No egg, no chocolate kiss! – Where does our food come from” and “Fascinating playing with fire”, which she attended in 2009. The chemistry laboratory experiments are led by the same lecturer who taught them – Mihaela Jönsson.

Invitation to participate

The Children's University events are free of charge, but registration via a contact form is required. This initiative offers a valuable opportunity to get children interested in science subjects. This year there are still places left in some workshops, while the lecture on September 3rd is particularly well attended. Some courses already have long waiting lists, indicating that interest is high.

Parallel to the children's university, the subject matter department organizes an interesting lecture series entitled “Children and Living Environments”. This lecture will take place in the summer semester of 2025 under the direction of Prof. Dr. Steffen Wittkowske and Michael Otten. It aims to bring together experts from the didactics of subject teaching and primary school education. Participants have the opportunity to dial in both on site in Vechta and online. All lectures are free and do not require prior registration.

An outlook on the education system

To better understand the context of these initiatives, it is important to take a look at the education system in Germany. This is determined by the individual federal states, which leads to different regulations and training paths. Compulsory schooling usually begins at the age of six and lasts at least nine to ten years at general schools. A wide range of educational areas, including primary education and lower and upper secondary education, ensures that there are different educational qualifications and transition opportunities.

Fischer is excited that in her new role at the Children's University she can help support children's development. “I hope that I can infect the children with my love of learning,” she says. With her own experience as part of the first students who were allowed to attend face-to-face events again after the lockdown, she brings valuable perspectives to the event.

These programs and initiatives at the University of Vechta are not only enriching for the children, but also an example of the educational institutions' commitment to attracting young people to science and critical thinking. The educational offerings strengthen the foundations for inclusive, high-quality education and promote long-term interest in education.

Further information about the children's university and current enrollments at the University of Vechta can be found on the official website. University of Vechta bpb.de