Creativity in Stuttgart: Children develop dream machines of the future!

Creativity in Stuttgart: Children develop dream machines of the future!

On July 4, 2025, the dream machines of the MyMachine project were unveiled in Germany as part of the FUTUROMUNDO Festival. The event took place at the Max Eyth School in Stuttgart and attracted around 300 learners. This presentation presented the results of an international education program that has been running since January 2025 and was organized in cooperation with the University of Stuttgart, the Galileo Bildungshaus and Classroom Thinktank e.V. Under the patronage of Stuttgart's mayor Dr. Frank Nopper and Education Mayor Isabel Fezer emphasized the importance of the project for the educational landscape in Baden-Württemberg.

The MyMachine project, led by Nana Moutafidou from the University of Stuttgart, offers primary school children the opportunity to realize their creative ideas in the form of so-called dream machines. University students support the children in translating their visions into implementable concepts. The four selected machines include the castle, the friend for life, the dream ship and the garbage sailor, the latter of which will be returned to the University of Stuttgart.

Interdisciplinary collaboration and creativity

The interdisciplinary approach of the project is one of the striking features. Students from different disciplines work together on the projects, which emphasizes practical collaboration. Prof. Peter Middendorf, Rector of the University of Stuttgart, highlights the positive feedback on the implementation and the interaction between the age groups.

In April 2025, the children also had the opportunity to view the progress of their prototypes in the Café frei[raum]. The finished prototypes were exhibited at the Kessel Festival until July 5th. This commitment not only promoted the children's creative thinking, but also strengthened their team spirit.

Outlook for the future and educational transformation

The intention to expand the MyMachine concept to other schools in Baden-Württemberg reflects the need to develop new approaches to education. In view of digitalization and social change, the Valais University of Education sees an urgent need to rethink its educational approach. The aim is to integrate creativity and future skills more closely into lessons. The research teams at educational institutions are therefore increasingly working on topics such as creativity, innovation, design thinking and digital education.

The MyMachine project continues to be seen as a valuable model for the development of new teaching and learning formats. The Bachelor's degree program in Technology Management at the University of Stuttgart plans to include MyMachine as project work in the curriculum. This commitment clearly shows the will to support children in their creativity and to put their ideas into practice.