At the 3rd Hamburg Engineering Summit, it became clear that if you want to get young people excited about technology, you have to break new ground - and do it now, not at some point in the future.
Together with the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, the Hamburg University of Technology, VDMA Nord and the VDI Bezirksverein Hamburg, we pursued a clear goal: to create more enthusiasm for STEM subjects and establish stronger links between schools, universities and companies.
Engaging in dialogue with the younger generation
The first panel was particularly inspiring. Here, the dialogue was not about young people, but with them. A-level student Angelina Sziegat and dual students Mona Oldenburg and Leonard Sommer shared their views on training, studying and starting a career - directly, intelligently and without detours.
Ho can we make STEM more engaging?
The discussion showed that enthusiasm comes from experiences and encounters - not just from curricula.
- Public STEM learning centres: spaces where technology can be experienced, not just in the classroom.
- Educational experiments: projects that are allowed to fail.
- Students as role models: Young people learn best from their peers.
- Real conversations instead of buzzwords: communication that inspires and motivates.
Impulses from experts
Further valuable perspectives were provided by, among others:
- Ute Meyer (MINTvernetzt): A plea for more practical work in school workshops
- Carmen Hamann (HEROSE GmbH): Emphasising the importance of social skills in companies
- Dr Franziska Šeimys (VDMA): Insights into the Talent Machine campaign
- Dr Alfred Lumpe: Career choice as a door opener to technology
- Sabine Frykmer (HCAT+ e.V.): How do we make STEM programmes more attractive?
- Red sofa: Prof Thorsten A. Kern (TUHH), Prof Peter Wulf (HAW Hamburg) and Ralf Gust (Hamburg Aviation) appealed for better a policy framework to support STEM education
- Moderation: Jacqueline Kroker (née Möller)
MINT needs attitude
The summit made it clear that STEM is more than just specialised knowledge. It requires openness to new ideas, the courage to experiment and people who shape the future together. The catalogue of demands for politicians has been drawn up - now it is a matter of translating these impulses into concrete measures.