"MINT ins Land" creates prospects for the future

Over the past three years, around 850 children and young people in Siegen-Wittgenstein and Olpe have been reached by exciting activities in the fields of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology (STEM) - a strong result for the "MINT ins Land" project, which the University of Siegen successfully implemented together with several partners. However, the conclusion of the project by no means means a standstill: the newly created STEM Cluster South Westphalia has created a sustainable network that will continue to promote STEM offerings in the region in the future.

"With 'MINT ins Land', we have shown that extracurricular STEM education can also be successfully and sustainably implemented in rural regions," says project manager Julian Plack from the University of Siegen. "It is crucial that the connections and collaborations that have been established continue and are maintained in the future. The didactic material will also continue to be used."

A central element of the project was the E-MINT mobile: an electrically powered van equipped with state-of-the-art technology and digital learning materials. Over the course of three years, the mobile made regular stops at twelve locations in the Siegen-Wittgenstein and Olpe districts - in schools, youth centers and companies. Children and young people between the ages of 10 and 16 were able to experiment, tinker and implement their own ideas, for example by designing 3D models on the computer and then printing them out using a 3D printer.

In addition to the practice-oriented workshops, toolkits were created and numerous materials such as LEGO® robots and laser cutters were procured, which are still available - for schools or extracurricular institutions that want to carry out their own STEM activities. These materials will also be used at public events such as the Technology Day, the Open University or the STEM hands-on days in the future.

The STEM cluster created as part of the project will remain in place and will continue to bring together stakeholders from education, science, business and administration on a regular basis - with the common goal of getting young people interested in technology and science. The first meeting is planned for January 2026, after which the cluster will meet every six months.

The cluster partners - the School of Science and Technology at the University of Siegen, the districts of Siegen-Wittgenstein and Olpe, the Bildungszentrum Wittgenstein (BZW), the Förderverein MINT-Bildung im Kreis Olpe and the employers' association for the Olpe district - are all very positive about the project. "The 'MINT ins Land' project has succeeded in bringing education, business and the region closer together. The project has shown what networking and cooperation across district boundaries can achieve in order to get young people interested in technology and science in a practical way. The E-MINT-Mobil has made a valuable contribution to bringing STEM education to where the skilled workers of the two districts of tomorrow live and learn today - in rural areas," emphasizes Thorsten Holzhäuser, Managing Director of the employers' association for the Olpe district.

Another result of the project is the publication "MINT ins Land. Workshop concepts for those interested in STEM", which has been published open access by the university publishing house "universi". It provides teachers, educational institutions and volunteers with practical concepts and worksheets for their own STEM activities.

Stops of the E-MINT-Mobil:

Bad Berleburg: BZW Bildungszentrum Wittgenstein GmbH; Bad Laasphe: Städtisches Gymnasium; Erndtebrück: Realschule, Jugendtreff Login; Wilnsdorf: Hauptschule, Gymnasium; Freudenberg: Esther-Bejarano-Gesamtschule; Burbach, Neunkirchen: Community secondary school (both locations); Kirchhundem: Mennekes Elektrotechnik; Olpe: OT (open door); Attendorn: youth center; Grevenbrück: OT (open door); Finnentrop: children's, youth and cultural center; Wenden: KOT (small open door).