Future project MINT for everyone: Discover talents early!

Future project MINT for everyone: Discover talents early!

A new era of funding for MINT areas (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, technology) has been heralded in the Coesfeld district. With a considerable state funding of 250,000 euros, the innovative project "MINT for everyone" starts, which is intended to significantly increase the relevance and reach of the ZDI networks in North Rhine-Westphalia. This is reported by the Circle Coesfeld .

The main goal of the project is to strengthen regional structures, to achieve new participating groups and to promote the professionalization of network work. Over a period of five years, “MINT for all” is aimed particularly at schoolchildren in grades 5 to 7.

focus on school offers

By supporting the "open all-day schools" (OGS), MINT offers are further developed and established. The approaches aim to professionalize the network structures and public relations sustainably and to create a versatile, innovative program that has proven to be effective in the past few years. Since 2018, similar engagements have been funded by the scientific-technical offspring in North Rhine-Westphalia.

A central component of the project is said to be the MINT workshop in Dülmen. This facility will serve as a learning and experimental location for children and adolescents and also has the potential to become a meeting point for pupils and regional companies. Here a wide range of offers for experimentation and research should be provided in order to permanently increase interest in MINT topics.

Additional measures for professional and study orientation

In order to further strengthen the funding, the ZDI-BSO-MINT program, which is aimed at pupils: inside class 7, includes several building blocks for professional and study orientation. According to ZDI-Portal , BSO-Mint courses are offered, which include experimental work under guidance. These should give the pupils: provide detailed insights into MINT subjects inside and thus promote their interest in MINT courses and apprenticeships.

The funds provided by ZDI.NRW are earmarked for in-depth measures for career orientation in the MINT area. The program items also include holiday camps, workshops and corporate projects, all of which are accessible online to enable wider participation. These programs make a decisive contribution to securing skilled workers in North Rhine-Westphalia.

The largest MINT network in Europe

The ZDI network, which stands for "future through innovation.nrw", is considered the largest MINT network in Europe. It offers numerous measures along the entire educational chain, starting in kindergarten up to the career and study. As ZDI-Portal , the network has thousands of partners: inside who contribute to personal responsibility and success of the initiative.

With this new initiative "MINT for all" in the Coesfeld district, an important step towards a broader, sustainable promotion of STEM skills is taken. The combination of financial support and targeted programs could be the key to the future of MINT funding in North Rhine-Westphalia and thus lay the foundation for an interested and well-trained young generation.