At the kick-off event, daycare professionals learned about the new approaches and expressed their gratitude for the information materials and the subsequent exchange.
"We are delighted to be working with the Kinder forschen foundation to support educational professionals with new educational offers," emphasized Antje Behre, project manager at the VHS. The training courses focus on mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology (STEM) as well as education for sustainable development (ESD). "Children are curious and eager to learn. The new network provides professionals in daycare centers, after-school care centers and elementary school with new educational opportunities that benefit girls and boys," says Antje Behre. Children between the ages of three and ten are encouraged to playfully conduct research with employees in daycare centers, after-school care centers and elementary school in order to learn easily and sustainably in these areas.
"Mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology (STEM) are important for children and for their future," emphasized Christina Mersch, Head of Networks at the Kinder forschen Foundation, and thanked the Volkshochschule Salzgitter as a new network partner, which offers the training courses in Salzgitter.
The first workshop, "Magnetism - discovering invisible forces", will start in March and registrations are open for the next workshop in June. The training courses will teach staff from nurseries, after-school care and elementary school how they can discover STEM and ESD knowledge together with the children using simple means and little effort and find answers to many "Why is that so?" questions. The aim is to teach children at an early age that research is fun and education is empowering. "In this way, we want to make children strong for the future and empower them to act sustainably," she explains.
The nursery staff were delighted with the clear presentation and the suggestions for their everyday work with the children. They took away various information materials and expressed their thanks for the exchange about the Foundation's various educational offers.
The Volkshochschule invites all professionals from 55 daycare centers, two after-school care centers and 17 elementary school to get to know these new educational offers.
Anyone with questions can contact those responsible for the project at the Volkshochschule: Antje Behre (phone: 05341/8392223; antje.behrestadt.salzgitterde or Kristina Wojna (phone: 05341/8393716, kristina.wojnastadt.salzgitterde