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New MINT-EC camp: Students conduct research at the Cologne University Hospital!
Committed students will learn modern cancer research at the MINT-EC camp at the University Hospital of Cologne from July 2nd to 7th, 2025.
New MINT-EC camp: Students conduct research at the Cologne University Hospital!
On July 2, 2025 will take place at the Cologne University Hospital The MINT-EC camp takes place, which is aimed at ten particularly committed students from all over Germany. The aim of the camp is to give participants an insight into the methods of modern cancer research. Under the competent guidance of numerous experts, the young people are able to gain practical experience in the laboratories of the University Hospital of Cologne and thus experience cancer research up close.
The camp begins with two introductory days at Cologne's Friedrich-Wilhelm-Gymnasium, followed by three days in which the students immerse themselves in everyday science. The event is organized in cooperation with the Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO), the Infectious Diseases Department at the University Hospital of Cologne and the interdisciplinary CANTAR project. There are a total of ten laboratory positions available - five in infectiology and five in cancer research.
High response and diverse offers
The interest in this MINT-EC camp is overwhelming: around 250 applications were submitted via the MINT-EC platform, which more than doubles the demand compared to other camps. Dr. Stavros Manteniotis, teacher at the Friedrich-Wilhelm-Gymnasium, is pleased with the high level of participation. Dr. Cornelia von Levetzow, Managing Director of CIO ABCD, emphasizes how important such projects are in attracting young talent to medicine and biology.
The MINT-EC Camp is not just a one-off event, but part of a larger initiative to promote MINT skills - an area that is central to challenges such as the energy transition and digital transformation. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has therefore developed a MINT action plan that ranges from kindergarten to further education.
MINT clusters and their meaning
In the context of STEM education, regional ones play a role STEM cluster a crucial role. These clusters connect actors from education, science, business and civil society and offer low-threshold, everyday educational opportunities for children and young people. So far, 73 MINT clusters have been set up, which aim to promote equal opportunities and, above all, to introduce girls and young women to MINT topics. The offerings range from maker spaces to research workshops and MINT mobiles.
The variety of MINT-EC events is large and serves different target groups. In addition to the MINT-EC camp, which offers an intensive discussion of a MINT topic over a camp duration of 3 to 7 days, there are also other formats that vary in the number of participants and duration, but all aim to deepen MINT topics and prepare students for their future study and career choices.
Overall, it is clear that promoting MINT skills is of enormous importance not only for individuals, but also for society as a whole. Projects such as the MINT-EC Camp at the University Hospital of Cologne lay the foundation for sensitizing and qualifying future generations for the challenges of the future.