MINToringSi - students accompany pupils on their way to a STEM degree course
MINToringSi is a cooperative program of the University of Siegen, the Arnsberg district government and the Association of Siegerland Metal Industry (VdSM). The aim is to get young people interested in STEM subjects. MINToringSi was offered for the first time in 2013 as a regional successor to the "MINToring® - Studierende begleiten Schülerinnen und Schüler" program of the Stiftung der Deutschen Wirtschaft (sdw).
The program involves supporting pupils interested in STEM subjects over a period of three years, starting in Q1.
MINToringSi
Program details
Three years of support
The first year of support familiarizes the participants with the STEM field. This involves meetings, excursions, company visits and at least one STEM camp. Participants are familiarized with facilities at the University of Siegen.
The second year of the project focuses on STEM project work. They can practice scientific work in a team and acquire important skills for everyday STEM studies. The in-depth insights provided help to concretize study and career prospects. The work includes a practical research component, written documentation of the results and an oral presentation.
In the third year of support, workshops are held on topics such as learning and knowledge management, time planning and effective working in STEM studies. In addition, regular meetings are held to exchange ideas and experiences.
MINToringSi
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strengthens the interest of upper secondary school students in Siegen-Wittgenstein in STEM subjects,
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motivates them to take up a STEM degree course or dual STEM degree course, especially at the University of Siegen,
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stabilizes students in STEM studies and counteracts drop-outs,
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promotes academic STEM jobs at VdSM member companies.
Advantages for students
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Intensive contacts in the network with like-minded people, students, the University of Siegen and local companies in the M+E industry,
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Dealing with STEM topics under expert guidance,
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Teaching key skills (e.g. through STEM camps and workshops) for your studies,
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Advice and support in the first semesters of STEM studies,
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Optimization strategies and motivation for further studies.
The application deadline is always September 30th of each year. Information on the application criteria and the application process can be found on the program's website
Everything at a glance
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Form of offer
Three-year personal consultation -
Languages offered
German -
Topic(s)
STEM career and study choices
Voices of former students
How did I benefit from MINToringSi?
- Contact with students from higher semesters, who helped you with questions and problems, especially when you were starting your studies (e.g. where can I find what on campus, tips on how to choose your subjects, which subjects have to be taken and in what context, etc.) -> networking
- Insight into scientific work by setting up a WLAN-capable particulate matter measuring station. Help with writing scientific papers and learning presentation techniques.
What has MINToringSi meant to me?
"When others were pursuing hobbies in their free time, I met up with other students interested in STEM at the University of Siegen for the last two school years at MINToringSi. The STEM mentors came up with a great program to get us even more excited about these subjects; be it lectures, experiments or excursions, usually rounded off with a meal together where we could review the day and exchange ideas. I am now in the middle of my math studies and, looking back, I would take part in MINToring again in a heartbeat. Thank you very much for the great experiences I had!"
How have I benefited from MINToringSI?
- MINToringSI motivated me to actually take up a science degree course, as I had actually wanted to start an apprenticeship after leaving school. The contact with the MINToren encouraged me in my decision and gave me a deeper insight into the real life of students.
- Through various activities, as well as through the project phase, I was able to gain insights into STEM subjects that are not taught in the traditional sense at school.
What did MINToringSi mean to me?
"MINToringSi has helped me a lot in many ways, be it through the constant support from the STEM mentors in my first year of study, a workshop on financing my studies, help with filling out the BAföG application and creating a timetable. Thanks to the close cooperation of my group during the project phase, I am still in contact with other members of my group 5 years after the program. If I have any questions about computer science or electrical engineering, I am very happy to contact them."
