MINT on Tour inspires students: over 4,000 young researchers impressed!

MINT on Tour inspires students: over 4,000 young researchers impressed!

Since 2012, the University of Siegen has been inspiring over 30,000 students in the region for the subjects of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology (MINT) with the “MINT on Tour” program. As the University of Siegen highlights in a recent report, this year's MINT tour reached a new dimension with its eight-week program. During this time, 42 schools were visited, making the initiative the largest of its kind since its launch.

Joel Wörner, mathematics and physics teacher at the Protestant high school Bad Marienberg, has taken on a central role as coordinator of the program at his school. Wörner, who himself worked as a student tutor at MINT on Tour, is enthusiastic about the targeted initiatives that aim to inspire students from the region to take MINT courses.

The MINT tour in detail

The student tutors at the University of Siegen visit almost all high schools and comprehensive schools in the Siegen-Wittgenstein and Olpe districts. The aim of the MINT tour is to create an exciting and educational environment in which students in grades seven and eight can experiment for two days. Practical experiments, such as building shaker lamps, electric motors and rubber band cars, are carried out without any pressure to perform. Thomas Reppel, the organizer of MINT on Tour, emphasizes the importance of early access to MINT subjects and expresses the hope of later welcoming some of the participants as students at the University of Siegen.

After the eight weeks of the tour, the tutors worked with around 4,000 students. Jule Scherzberg, a committed chemistry and history student, is working as a tutor for the third time and appreciates the valuable experience she can gain with the young people. The materials used are common household items, cost on average no more than one euro and can largely be recycled. The program is financially supported by “Future through Innovation North Rhine-Westphalia” (ZDI).

Complementary projects and initiatives

In addition to “MINT on Tour”, the “MINT ins Land” project was launched in spring 2023, which is also active in the Olpe and Siegen-Wittgenstein districts. The aim of this project is to awaken enthusiasm for MINT among children and young people between the ages of 10 and 16. The program envisages the establishment of twelve stops, which will be served every 14 days by an electrically powered van equipped with digital media and materials.

Each stop can accommodate up to 60 young people taking part in three different modules. This offer includes special modules for young women, career orientation and support for learners with special needs. Supervision is provided by academic staff and teacher training students from the University of Siegen. Dr. Felicitas Pielsticker leads the project, which involves cooperation between several institutions, including the regional education office and the MINT support association. Support also comes from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Christopher Mennekes, Chairman of the Olpe Employers' Association, and District Administrator Theo Melcher emphasize the importance of these programs for promoting MINT skills and connecting young people with the economy. In a recent event, the project partners visited the stop at Mennekes Elektrotechnik GmbH & Co. KG in Welschen Ennest and received positive feedback from the participating children and young people on the practical MINT exercises.

The developments in both projects show how important it is to promote interest in MINT subjects at an early stage and thus make a sustainable contribution to the education and future of the young generation.

How uni-siegen.de and chemie-biologie.uni-siegen.de report, these initiatives not only expand the university's offerings, but also strengthen the bridge between education and professional life.