Along with 45 other networks, the zdi Centre in Paderborn, which cooperates with Paderborn University, was awarded the 2026 Quality Seal by Ina Brandes, Minister for Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. The networks promoting young talent in STEM subjects are thus being recognised for their outstanding work in the regions and their great commitment.
For over 20 years, the joint initiative “Zukunft durch Innovation.NRW” has been offering holiday courses, experimental laboratories and career guidance programmes for pupils in the STEM fields through regional networks such as the zdi Centre in Paderborn. The aim is to enable young people to engage with Mathematics, Computer Science, natural sciences and technology outside school and to gain practical experience. This provides pupils with valuable guidance for their future career or study choices. In collaboration between the zdi Centre Paderborn and Paderborn University, initiatives such as the ‘STEM taster course’ as part of the Spring and Autumn University programmes, the‘zdi coolMINT Pupils’ Laboratory’and the ‘look upb’ STEM mentoring programme for schoolgirls. In total, the ‘Zukunft durch Innovation.NRW’ initiative has already reached over 4.5 million young people.
The zdi quality seal is awarded annually by the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to zdi networks that meet specific quality criteria. Key features of sustainable STEM education in the region include needs-based and target-group-specific programmes, regional networking and a consistently high-quality range of extracurricular STEM educational opportunities that are available on offer.
“Training skilled workers is one of the major challenges of our time. The sooner we start to inspire young people, particularly in Mathematics, Computer Science, natural sciences and technology, the better. We will only be able to tackle major challenges such as climate change and sustainable energy supply if we inspire young people to take an interest in STEM. Dedicated and experienced experts are doing absolutely outstanding work in this regard within our zdi networks,” says Minister for Science Ina Brandes.
Education Minister Dorothee Feller also praised the work of the award-winning zdi networks: “Mathematics, Computer Science, natural sciences and technology are key to the future of our children and our country. Those who are given the opportunity at an early age to experiment, tinker and put their own ideas into practice develop curiosity, self-confidence and important skills for their future educational and career paths. The zdi networks make a valuable contribution to this. They complement classroom teaching and support schools with practical activities on offer, open up new perspectives and spark enthusiasm for STEM – particularly among young people who may not yet have discovered their strengths in this area.”
This text was translated automatically.