ZukLOS: Project on Extracurricular STEM Education Launched

Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences and TU Dresden have jointly launched the BMBF-funded collaborative project “WIR! – Lausitz – Life & Technology – Future Learning Center Upper Lusatia,” or ZukLOS .

The research project aims to investigate the potential of out-of-school education, particularly in the STEM fields. Through the piloting of exemplary teaching and learning settings in collaboration with regional educational institutions, surveys of regional stakeholders, and the involvement of young people as active participants in shaping their own education, concrete recommendations for action will be derived to further develop an already rich landscape of education.

“We would like to thank each and every person who supported us in submitting the application,” says Robert Viertel, a project staff member at HSZG. “By implementing the advice and leveraging the expertise of all those involved, we can make Upper Lusatia an even more attractive place to live and work for the local community.”

To mark the start of the research project, a kick-off event was held in early October with the project teams from the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences and TU Dresden at the Station für Technik, Naturwissenschaften, Kunst - Weißwasser e.V. in Weißwasser. At the event, the objectives of the research project were further defined, and the work packages were fleshed out in more detail.

Project team member Christian Tiller is also pleased to report that the contract award process was successfully completed. The Constitute was selected to conduct two three-day mobile STEM workshops featuring design workshops. The Station for Technology, Natural Sciences, and Art – Weißwasser e.V. will actively support the development and testing of new concepts for extracurricular learning at the Upper Lusatia Future Learning Center. The subcontract for organizing the concluding transfer conference was awarded to the Landesverband Sächsischer Jugendbildungswerke e.V. (LJBW e.V.).

1st STEM Design Workshop, Oct. 27–29, 2021:

Led by The Constitute, the first STEM workshop featuring a design workshop took place at the Station for Technology, Science, and Art – Weißwasser e.V. in late October. Using the Station for Technology, Natural Sciences, and Art – Weißwasser e.V. as a case study, the workshop developed answers to the question of how the “Future Learning Center Upper Lusatia” can become more attractive to young people and how stationary learning centers can be meaningfully linked with mobile learning opportunities. At the end of the workshop, the young people presented their vision using a spatial model.