Reason to celebrate: The Karlsruhe Technology Initiative has been around for ten years

karlsruhe.digital

Technology clubs are in vogue. Every week, 150 schools and youth centers in the Karlsruhe TechnologyRegion introduce around 2,500 children and young people to the interesting world of computer science and engineering in a fun way. This is made possible by the Karlsruhe Technology Initiative (technika). Ten years ago, IT entrepreneur Dirk Fox and the high-tech entrepreneur network CyberForum launched the initiative to better promote young talent in the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). On November 9, 2023 from 4 to 6 p.m., the big anniversary party will take place with an open day at the CyberForum in Hoepfner Castle. Interested parties can find out more about what the technology initiative has to offer. Fox also looks back at the beginnings with technology clubs at the first schools.

The fischertechnik construction kits are the centerpiece

The first working group at Karlsruhe’s Bismarck-Gymnasium has now become the largest STEM promotion initiative in the whole of Germany. Little has changed in principle since the official launch in fall 2013: The aim is to get children and young people excited about designing and programming in groups. The fischertechnik construction kits are still at the heart of the workshops. Participants can use them to build bridges, vehicles and robots. Regular events and competitions such as fischertechnik Day at Karlsruhe elementary school, the MINT Festival, the School Robotics Cup and the MINT vacation camps are also firmly anchored in the technika calendar. technika has also had an information stand at the Learntec education trade fair for several years.

Technika at the EFFEKTE Festival 2019. Photo: Jürgen-Rösner
Technika at the EFFEKTE Festival 2019. Photo: Jürgen-Rösner

Special STEM-Support for girls

For Dirk Fox, such joint activities and competitions are the salt in the technika soup. According to the technika founder, tinkering and researching is more fun together than alone. The competitions provide an additional motivational boost. The steady growth of the initiative was also reflected in the CyberForum. The initiative has been coordinated on a full-time basis for several years. Six employees now take care of the organization and implementation of the individual offers.

Special attention is paid to promoting girls who are interested in and talented in science. Because women are underrepresented in STEM subjects, the Girls’ Digital Camps have been held as part of technika since 2019.

On course for growth even after ten years

Even after ten years, the technology initiative is still growing. “More is always possible,” says Josefine Eidner from the CyberForum marketing team. Not all schools in Karlsruhe have a technology club yet. The aim is to extend the initiative beyond the borders of the TechnologyRegion and get schools from all over Baden-Württemberg on board.