How to encourage children to take up science? Get them interested young! A love of science starts in childhood. Through Henkel’s “Forscherwelt” (Researchers’ World) education initiative, children discover the thrill of scientific experimentation. They become little researchers and get a playful introduction into science’s secrets. The initiative’s patron is Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board and the Shareholders’ Committee at Henkel. The international education initiative is looking back at six successful years. More than 34,000 children around the world have already taken part in this initiative, playfully discovering scientific secrets by conducting a variety of experiments.
"Forscherwelt"/Researchers' World
The "Forscherwelt" concept
- In 2011, Henkel set up a dedicated “Forscherwelt” center in Düsseldorf that is tailored to children’s needs. In this area, children can take on the role of a researcher.
- “Forscherwelt” has a different set-up from a conventional school science lab: there is an experimentation zone, a rest area and a designated space for exercise and discussion.
- A spatial concept creates an atmosphere in which the children feel at ease and enjoy an ideal environment for learning through play.
- Internationally, “Forscherwelt” is established at selected Henkel sites and schools under its slogan of “Act like a scientist.”
- Outside of Germany, trained teachers have been visiting schools since 2014 to conduct scientific experiments together with the children there.
- In addition, “Forscherwelt” has been intensifying its cooperation with established partners in the field of education since 2018.
- Since October 2018, there has been a permanent “Forscherwelt” program at Moscow's ”Youth Palace”, one of the most renowned extracurricular learning venues in Russia. In Turkey, “Forscherwelt” courses have been taking place on the campus of the Darüşşafaka school in Istanbul since December 2018.
- In addition to Germany, Russia and Turkey, ”Forscherwelt” is also active in Italy, Poland, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Chile and India.
Varied opportunities for children and teachers
- At "Forscherwelt" children have the chance to conduct their first scientific experiments. The experiments touch upon the topics of glue, washing & cleaning, cosmetics, and sustainability. Kids can ask experts questions and gain insight into how research is conducted.
- The educational concept of "Forscherwelt" was developed by Prof. Dr. Katrin Sommer, Chair of Chemistry Didactics at Ruhr-University Bochum.
- During the school year, Henkel offers four elementary schools a nine-part teaching program at "Forscherwelt" every half year.
- Henkel employees’ children have the opportunity to take part in a one-week vacation course offered four times a year.
- Further professional development courses for teachers also take place at "Forscherwelt" on a regular basis.
Pictures
By visiting "Forscherwelt", children have the chance to conduct their first scientific experiments involving gluing, washing & cleaning, cosmetics, and sustainability.
"Being a researcher" - the educational concept intends to create the experience of the daily work of a researcher.
By visiting "Forscherwelt", children have the chance to conduct their first scientific experiments involving gluing, washing & cleaning, cosmetics, and sustainability.
Experiments involving gluing, washing & cleaning, cosmetics, and sustainability take place in the laboratory area (“Research Islandsˮ).
The "Mountain of Knowledge" provides space for reflection, discussion and presentation of results.
