Makerspace for students: Focus on technology without math fear!

Makerspace for students: Focus on technology without math fear!

In recent years, the number of new students in mechanical engineering has dropped sharply. This requires urgent need for action in order not to endanger the prosperity of the region. A remarkable initiative in this context is the M3+ Initiative, which was launched in 2023 by the KSB Foundation. The focus is on promoting young talent and enthusiasm for technical professions.

A central element of this initiative is a school pilot project that is carried out in the metropolitan region with four secondary schools. Two schools are included on each side of the Rhine. The findings and results of these pilot schools are intended to incorporate into the future work of the network, which consists of representatives of foundations, business, universities, schools and associations. This exchange is important to develop sustainable solutions for the challenges in mechanical engineering.

The Makerspace as an innovation place

To inspire students for technology, a so-called "Makerspace" was set up at the Mannheim Johanna Geissmar-Gymnasium (JGG). Here, students should be given the opportunity to work and experiment independently. The initiative is supported by the M3+ Initiative and the Foundation of the Frankenthaler pump and dashes specialist KSB. The aim is to inspire a new generation of engineers and to facilitate access to MINT subjects.

The Makerspace project is a direct reaction to the falling trend in mechanical engineering studies. It gives the students practical skills and promotes creative thinking that is essential in today's technological world. Through active participation in projects, the students should develop a better understanding of technical relationships and at the same time reduce barriers that are often connected to the MINT subjects.

Together into the future

The M3+ Initiative has a total of two essential strategies. In addition to the establishment of the control group for the structural processing of the challenges in mechanical engineering, there is another focus on the continuous expansion of the network. The initiative aims to regularly exchange experiences and findings in order to provide educational offers for other facilities in the metropolitan region. This is to create a permanent platform that not only promotes mechanical engineering, but also other technical disciplines and increases interest in MINT subjects.

Overall, the commitment of the KSB Foundation and the schools show how important innovative approaches are in education to counter the challenges in mechanical engineering. Projects such as the Makerspace set the course for the future so that young talents have the opportunity to discover and develop their passion for technology.

For more information about the initiative, please visit the page of the KSB Stiftung or read the article at Rheinpfalz