Mathematics, natural sciences, computer science and technology are not only behind the abbreviation MINT, but also for the sought-after training areas of the future. In order to position Styria as an innovation region in the best possible way, a MINT coordination point will be created, which will be designed by the existing “Science Garden” platform.
In Styria, the state is joining forces with the leading MINT players. “Our country has young people with so many talents and we see it as our mission to discover these talents and promote them in the best possible way. This is exactly what we want to do in the future with even greater impact for each and every individual. We are therefore setting up a central MINT coordination point on the already established “Science Garden” platform that bundles, makes visible and expands offers. Styria is a country of innovation. We are therefore specifically strengthening our youth with exciting MINT experiences in order to prepare them personally and our Styria for the future in the best possible way,” says Governor Christopher Drexler
STEM delivers solutions and prosperity
The future viability of an innovation and business location increasingly depends on the availability of qualified specialists. In addition, research and development not only solve future challenges, they also represent the attractiveness of a region. “We always have to be a little better and more innovative in order to be successful with our products worldwide and thus maintain prosperity in Styria. It is our self-image that we give young people the best tools to prepare for the demands of the time. The key is clearly in the technology – from training to professional practice. With the support of the state, the “Science Garden” will have even greater leverage and Styria will have an even clearer MINT focus,” says Stefan Stolitzka, Chairman of innoregio Styria.
“Science Garden” as a hub for MINT activities
In Styria, the MINT coordination center in the form of cooperation with the “Science Garden” was decided by the Styrian state parliament for 2024. The “Science Garden” is a project of the innoregio styria and its network partners. These include all Styrian universities, the Styrian Industrial Association, the Styrian Chamber of Commerce as well as the SFG and the Association for Location and Society. On the online platform www.sciencegarden.at For two years now, the platform has been offering children and young people between the ages of 3 and 19 an overview of 500 MINT experiences throughout Styria. There is also its own podcast series “Radio Igel as a Guest in the Science Garden”, which explains scientific phenomena in an age-appropriate manner. In 2023, over 90,000 children and young people attended the Styrian MINT experiences.
In its function as a MINT coordination point, the tasks of the “Science Garden” include the expansion of awareness-raising, the consistent expansion and quality assurance of Styrian offers for children and young people, the coordination of all Styrian activities as well as their strategic orientation, the development of a network and the Interface function to educational initiatives and other players.
Good STEM ground
The foundation on which the MINT coordination office is built is very solid. With 155 institutions, Styria is the leader in the MINT quality seal, which recognizes educational institutions for innovative learning, compared to federal states. The “Science Garden” MINT forum, which took place for the second time this year, had almost 400 participants from the (higher) school sector and Upper Styria recently became the first Styrian MINT region out of a total of 14 awarded throughout Austria by the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, among others in cooperation with the Industrial Association.
About the “Science Garden”
The “Science Garden” is a coordination and networking platform that centrally offers MINT experiences for 3 to 19 year olds throughout Styria on www.sciencegarden.at. The quality of the offerings is ensured by our own seal of quality, which is awarded in accordance with educational quality criteria for excellent MINT experiences. The experiences are always booked directly with the respective provider. The “Science Garden” is coordinated and financed by the network partners of “innoregio styria”.
Contact: Linde Wade | 0664 8210867 | [email protected]
About the inner region of Styria
The association “innoregio styria – an initiative to position Styria as an innovation region” has existed in Styria for over 20 years. In the “innoregio styria”, the Steiermark Industrial Association, the Styrian Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Styrian economic development agency SFG and all Styrian universities have a basis that is unique in Austria Collaboration created to work together to strengthen the business and science location.
2023-12-28 13:05:28
#Styria #MINT #coordination
