Forscherwelt
Researchers' World
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 15 successful years. More than 130,000 children around the world have already taken part in this initiative, playfully discovering scientific secrets by conducting a variety of experiments.
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.
- Since then, the education initiative has become global. There are "Forscherwelt projects" in North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
- In Stamford, Istanbul, Dubai and India, Henkel operates additional extracurricular Researchers' World learning sites together with established educational partners. In other countries, trained teachers visit elementary schools and conduct experiments with children there.
- Internationally, “Forscherwelt” is established at selected Henkel sites and schools under its slogan of “Being like a scientist.”
- Since 2020, the classroom program has been supplemented and expanded with digital content and formats. These include videos, live streams of hands-on experiments, and hybrid forms.
Varied opportunities for children, parents 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 elementary schools a nine-part teaching program at “Forscherwelt” in Düsseldorf.
- Henkel employees’ children have the opportunity to take part in a one-week vacation course offered four times a year.
- The format “Little ones research with the big ones” is a parent-child-activity for employees and their kids to experiment together at “Forscherwelt” in Düsseldorf.
- Further professional development courses for teachers and interested employees also take place at “Forscherwelt” on a regular basis.
Further information can be found here:
Being like a researcher
It is never too early to spark children’s curiosity and inspire a passion for scientific discovery. Forscherwelt is an international education initiative launched by Henkel in 2011. Through hands‑on experiments, children explore a wide range of topics - from adhesives and washing to personal care and sustainability.
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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.
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By visiting “Forscherwelt”, children have the chance to conduct their first scientific experiments involving gluing, washing & cleaning, cosmetics, and sustainability.
„Little ones research with the big ones” – this parent-child-activity offers employees and their kids a common science experience.
Experimenting together with their parents is a unique and unforgettable experience for the kids.
By showing their own enthusiasm for science and research, parents are important role models for their children.
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.
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