First social media platform for STEM enthusiasts!
A social media platform of its own, specifically adapted to the needs and interests of the respective user group - that is the dream of every community. For the community offensive zdi.NRW "Future through Innovation" it came true in October 2020. With over 4.500 partners from business, schools and universities, Europe's largest network for the promotion of young scientists and engineers has now received a digital "marketplace" for exchanging ideas and information - unique in Germany. On the platform, schoolchildren can find like-minded people and numerous learning opportunities for the subjects of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology.
“From the 47 zdi networks and over 70 school laboratories, a topic-specific community with great personalities has developed in recent years, whom we were allowed to accompany in various campaigns. But the community lacked the digital marketplace. They were scattered on many different platforms online ", explains Arne Klauke, who got the project rolling and supported it for the zdi regional office.
The MINT Community NRW now gives MINT-enthusiastic children and young people a secure alternative to social media platforms such as Facebook & Co. In addition, regional MINT actors are networked across the region. The offensive, consisting of many small communities, comes together. In this way, coordinators and committed teachers can develop and position their offers in the best possible way, talk to young adults and accompany them on their way to study and career orientation.
In virtual and analog courses, students can try out their skills, and through the MINT-Community NRW, they stay in contact with course participants of the same age, can share experiences and technical information, motivate each other and give encouragement. A gamification system was also integrated. The young people can collect MINT badges, increase their level and receive an individualized résumé. They are offered a protected space in which they can pursue their interests and contribute - the basis for every form of co-determination and social participation.
"If children and young people can identify with the topics on the platform, they bring their content and ideas with them; through their participation, the community is self-sustaining in the long term", Klauke notes with fascination. He has already seen the community's commitment in many participatory events and communication campaigns based on user-generated content. Barcamps, zdi robot competitions and Take Over show the possibilities and opportunities that activate young people. The newly developed MINT community NRW encourages them to participate and - in contrast to a profit-oriented social network - focuses on the interests of the users.
To the zdi.NRW project
Together with the Zenit company matrix has been acting as the zdi regional office on behalf of the Ministry of Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and supports the work of the zdi community in the regions. At the state level, zdi is also supported by the Ministry of Education and Economy. In doing so, zdi is guided by the principle of self-determination and actively involves the target group of children and young people, parents and teachers in offers and campaigns.
For the development of the MINT community NRW
An internal team and close cooperation with external service providers have been set up for the programming of the MINT community NRW since autumn 2019. After a test phase, in which three zdi networks were initially involved, an activation phase followed, in which participants were familiarized with the use of the platform through tutorials and workshops. On October 26th, the MINT-Community NRW was presented to the public by the Parliamentary State Secretary Klaus Kaiser. Since then, the matrix team has been working on activating the MINT players and supporting the regions in maintaining their fan pages.
