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Great fun in the sandpit: Children research with Minister Prien!
Federal Education Minister Karin Prien meets 100 daycare children in Berlin to promote MINT research through games and experiments.
Great fun in the sandpit: Children research with Minister Prien!
On Tuesday morning, June 21, 2025, around a hundred daycare children experienced an exciting encounter with Federal Education Minister Karin Prien in a large sandpit. Children play and dig while Prien talks about important research topics that are the focus of the “MINTmachttage” research festival. This event gives little ones the opportunity to explore and experiment while gathering around snacks like strawberries and cake. “Who likes cookies?” the minister asks, and the answer is overwhelming: loud cheers from the little faces.
On site, the Cookie Monster provides additional excitement by distributing fresh cookies. Such opportunities help to stimulate children's interest in STEM topics and encourage their curiosity. The "ZZZAP! BÄM! With energy into the future" campaign in daycare centers and schools throughout Germany supports the exploration of energy generation through sun, wind and movement - a central part of the MINTmachttage, which reaches its climax today. Events take place nationwide, including in Berlin, where the band 3Berlin presents the MINTmachtage song “Pure Energie”.
Research festival and creativity
At the research festival, the children realize how exciting science can be. Children experiment with marbles and learn how chain reactions work - an area of interest that is particularly close to Prien's heart. The head of the research foundation, who shapes dough, speaks openly about how adults can learn from children's joy of experimenting. An important aspect that stimulates creativity and makes the little ones' research hearts beat faster.
But MINT education in Germany also has its challenges. According to a study, the quality of STEM education is often only mediocre. Primary school students in particular do not perform well in international comparative tests such as PISA, and many from families with poor education have difficulty developing the necessary skills. The acute shortage of teachers in MINT subjects, especially in mathematics and computer science, is an additional problem that must be urgently addressed.
Importance of STEM education
Since the PISA shock in 2001, Germany has tried to reform the education system. The 2019 National STEM Action Plan aims to strengthen STEM education by engaging schools, families and educational institutions. These initiatives, such as the “House of Little Researchers” foundation and competitions such as “Jugend forscht”, are intended to instill in children an interest in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology at an early age; these subjects are crucial for economic innovation and technical progress.
Another important aspect is equal opportunities in education. Girls often rate their math skills lower than boys, which leads to less interest in STEM subjects. It is important to create an environment that promotes equality and encourages girls to become active in these areas. Given technological developments, it is clear that the need for STEM skills will continue to grow in the future. Therefore, early childhood education remains key to inspiring a new generation of researchers and scientists.