MINT initiatives in Paderborn: getting children excited about technology!

MINT initiatives in Paderborn: getting children excited about technology!

In autumn 2022, the research project “transMINT4.0” started at the University of Paderborn, which is dedicated to the sustainable promotion of MINT education (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, technology) among children and young people. This is reported by the University of Paderborn. The project focuses particularly on the crucial transition from primary to secondary school and examines interest in STEM topics from the perspectives of both learners and teachers in primary and secondary school.

The first results of the project will be presented at the educational research conference (Bifo) of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), which will take place on March 25th and 26th, 2025. Initial analyzes have shown that visits to extracurricular learning locations, such as MINT workshops and libraries, have a positive influence on students' interest in scientific subjects. Important supporting factors here are the topicality and relevance to life of the topics that are taught to the young learners.

Interdisciplinary cooperation and broader objectives

The research project is carried out in close cooperation between the professorships for didactics of scientific teaching under the direction of Prof. Dr. Eva Blumberg and technology didactics under Prof. Dr. Katrin Temmen carried out. The project's funding amounts to around 800,000 euros over three years and aims to develop innovative approaches and concepts for MINT education that go beyond traditional teaching formats.

A central aspect of the project is design-based research, which is characterized by several research cycles. At the primary level, 20 fourth primary school classes are examined to promote interest in topics related to sustainability. In addition, surveys are planned in the fifth grades of secondary schools to examine the long-term effects on interest in MINT topics.

Regional collaborations with various institutions, such as waterworks and urban drainage companies in Paderborn, as well as with the school laboratory “coolMINT.Paderborn”, are intended to provide a practical framework. Another point of research focuses on the conditions for the success of mobile workshop offerings for young people in leisure locations. Despite the challenges in data collection, these formats must be viewed as highly attractive for the young target group.

Educational equity and extracurricular learning spaces

The initiative to promote extracurricular MINT learning locations is a reaction to the educational policy reality in Germany, which is strongly influenced by socio-economic backgrounds. According to the Klaus Tschira Foundation This funding aims to increase accessibility for children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and thus contribute to educational equality.

The funded projects are intended to evaluate the effectiveness of existing concepts and develop innovative formats. A great focus is on establishing sustainable structures that are accessible to students aged 5 to 16. Examples of such concepts include maker spaces, projects in museums, libraries and nature parks that offer children and young people the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills outside of the classroom.

In order to secure MINT education in Germany in the long term, the BMBF has initiated comprehensive measures with the MINT Action Plan 2.0. This brings together initiatives that range from early childhood education to universities; including the promotion of cooperation between school and extracurricular MINT activities as well as quality assurance in the area of ​​MINT education. There are also around 70 MINT clusters that support and network extracurricular educational opportunities, which further strengthens the commitment to specific target groups BMBF reports.

With these different approaches, those responsible want to ensure that the MINT skills of the population are further strengthened in order to secure future skilled workers and meet social challenges such as climate change, digitalization and combating diseases. The final results of the “transMINT4.0” project are scheduled for spring 2026.