First MINT camp in Rhön-Grabfeld: Discover the energy of the future!

First MINT camp in Rhön-Grabfeld: Discover the energy of the future!

The first MINT camp in the Rhön-Grabfeld district is just around the corner! From November 3rd to 7th, 2025, an exciting event will take place in the Bauersberg school camp under the motto “Future Energy – Discover the Energy of Tomorrow”. It is aimed at students aged 14 and over who are interested in the future topics of energy and artificial intelligence (AI). Because like Dr. Jörg Geier from the district development department emphasizes that there is a growing need for MINT specialists, and this is exactly where this camp comes into play. The education office and the association M-E-NES e. V. have jointly launched an initiative that is part of the “Digital Education Region” and aims to promote young people’s technical curiosity.

Registration is open to all technology-loving young people, but no previous knowledge is required. For a participation fee of 100 euros, participants can look forward to a week full of practical workshops in which renowned companies such as Siemens AG and Reich GmbH provide interesting insights. Topics such as 3D printing, robotics, hydrogen as an energy source as well as energy production and grid control are on the program. The event is supported by, among others, Sparkasse Bad Neustadt, VR-Bank Main Rhön eG, Überlandwerk Rhön GmbH and Dr. Joachim Wagner.

Focus on artificial intelligence

The workshops will particularly focus on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) - an area that is crucial for the professional fields of the future. Programs like “AI in STEM lessons” from Science on Stage come directly into play here. The goal is to give students a tangible understanding of AI. The offer is aimed at teachers in the subjects of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology and contains tried-and-tested teaching concepts on topics such as how AI works, its application in everyday life and the ethical questions that arise from it.

Through exciting experiments and creative programming projects, participants will understand how machine learning works and how neural networks are structured. Such learning opportunities are no coincidence in school education. Even though there has been a lot of talk about digital technologies in schools since the computer revolution of the 1980s, real transformation has often failed to materialize. The use of AI could bring a breath of fresh air here. Not only does it enable the individualization of teaching, but it can also automate teachers' routine tasks, giving them more time for interactive learning and individual feedback.

Challenges and opportunities

However, not all challenges have been overcome with the use of AI. Concerns such as data protection and the quality of information provided remain relevant issues in the school context. In the face of these challenges, it is essential that students learn to critically examine information and use AI as a supporting tool, not as a replacement for thinking. Teachers will be required to balance maintaining human interaction in the classroom while incorporating technological developments.

The MINT camp in Rhön-Grabfeld is more than just an exciting event for young people. It is a step towards future-oriented education that meets the requirements of the digital world. While the arrival and departure have to be organized themselves, the participants can look forward to an eventful time that not only promotes their technical understanding, but also lays the foundation for their future professional life. It remains to be seen how the content and methods in the educational mix will develop, but one thing is certain: the future has a lot to offer.