Inspire young researchers: MINT event with robots and chemistry experiments!

Inspire young researchers: MINT event with robots and chemistry experiments!

On May 26, 2025, an event took place at the Senftenberg Campus of the BTU Cottbus–Senftenberg that aimed to introduce students to the exciting worlds of science and technology. Professor Peer Schmidt opened the day with a captivating experimental lecture in chemistry, during which the young people observed chemical reactions live. This interactive introduction was designed to pique young learners' interest and encourage further exploration.

The event divided the students into two groups to give them different scientific experiences. The first group became active in the biology laboratory, led by Ms. Gramov. Here she conducted practical experiments on microscopy. The students learned how to spread microorganisms and carry out swab tests. Ms. Gramov was thrilled by the students' curiosity and joy in experimenting. This positive feedback underlines the importance of such practical scientific experiences in school education.

Robotics and interactive learning opportunities

In the second group, the students learned the “robo dog driving license” in the gym. The focus here was on the characteristics of dogs as role models for robotic systems. An exciting practical part included a course that included stations such as “Slalom Run”, “Wiggle Paw”, “Wolf’s Den” and “Robo-Dog in Action”. The children showed great enthusiasm for the technology and controlling the robot dogs.

After 45 minutes, the groups were changed so that all students had the opportunity to experience both stations. At the end of the day, each participant received a “robo dog driving license”. Headmistress Ms. Hacke drew a positive conclusion and expressed great interest in future events. The humanoid robot “Ami” in particular aroused their interest, which suggests a further increase in commitment to STEM education support.

STEM education in context

The initiative at the Senftenberg campus is part of a larger commitment pursued by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). This focuses on MINT education in Germany, which is supported by a holistic and networked approach. The MINT action plan includes several support measures along the education chain.

The important initiatives include the “House of Little Researchers”, student competitions such as “Jugend forscht” and MINT clusters to coordinate offers for young people. The newly introduced “5-point plan for more MINT skills” includes, among other things, promoting cooperation between school and extracurricular activities, supporting high-quality MINT offerings and involving families.

In summary, the event at the Senftenberg campus shows how important early experiences in science and technology are for students. Targeted educational offerings, as set out in the MINT strategy, attempt to arouse interest in scientific subjects from early school education. The committed staff and the diverse offerings are crucial to inspiring the next generation for technical careers.

In another example of MINT initiatives, students from the e-course chemistry in class 10a at the University of Cologne carried out an analysis of the advertising slogan for the drink “Powerade”. This research showed that Powerade contains more ingredients than water, but fewer minerals than mineral water, which points to the importance of scientific education in everyday contexts.

The MINT education landscape in Germany is enriched by such projects and helps to comprehensively promote and diversify scientific education. The initiatives of the BTU Senftenberg and other programs lay a valuable foundation that prepares students for the challenges of the future.