MINT-LAB auf Schlössern / in kastelen

MINT-LAB at Castles

(MINT = Mathematics, Computer Science, Natural Sciences, Technology)

MINT-LAB at Castles is a project between Germany and the Netherlands.
It is supported by the EU.
The project ran from 2017 to 2021 over four school years.

On 144 experiment days in the border region around Gronau, about 3,000 students from Germany and the Netherlands met.
They experimented together.

Goals of the project:

• Get to know neighbors

• Practice the other language

• Inspire young people aged 12 to 16 for MINT subjects

• Help companies find new skilled workers

The Andreas Mohn Foundation is the main partner.

The experiments took place in castles, palaces, and historical sites.
Topics included:

• New energy sources

• Flight and flying

• Water analysis

• Cosmetics

Tours of the historical sites completed the experiment days.
This way, students learned about Europe, its history, and its cultural heritage.

Students worked in teams of two.
They learned the neighbor’s language.
They explored science and technology.

Quote from a student:
"Here the borders almost disappear by themselves. We have a shared task in the team. You notice the things we have in common and forget the language differences."

Quote from a teacher:
"The contacts developed very quickly. Many students stayed connected through social media. In Doetinchem, there were no German or Dutch students anymore. It was one big group looking forward to the next adventure."

After the project, MINT-LAB at Castles will continue, even without EU funding.

More information:
www.mint-lab.eu/de

On Sunday, June 20, 2021, at 4 pm, the film premiere of the project will take place at Senden Castle.
The film is shown on the “Day of Castles and Palaces in Münsterland”.
From June 20, 2021, the film is also available online: www.mint-lab.eu/de