Activity report of matrix gGmbH for the years 2022 to 2024

Matrix gGmbH in Erkrath is committed to promoting education and science. In accordance with our statutes, which can be viewed on our homepage at matrix-ggmbh.de, we have concentrated in particular on the implementation of projects in the field of MINT (mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology) in recent years.

Further project approaches have been initiated but have not yet been implemented, e.g. in the area of ​​sustainable agriculture through SMART farming.

This report provides an overview of the activities of matrix gGmbH in the years 2022 to 2024.

Projects and Activities 2022 to 2024

MINT networked

The mintvernetzt project aims to network MINT initiatives and actors at a regional level nationwide and to promote the exchange of best practices. As part of this project, workshops and conferences were regularly organized to strengthen cooperation between schools, universities and companies and to coordinate the networking measures nationwide as part of the so-called MINT action plan.

The project is funded by the BMBF.

The project’s partners include the National MINT Forum, the Körber Foundation, the Donors’ Association for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany and the University of Regensburg.

The focus of our work is on the technical and conceptual development of the MINT-E platform as well as community management.

The project started in January 2021 and is planned to last five plus three years.

In recent years, the following events have been implemented as part of the project:

2022:

2023:

2024:

The following project results were published and made available to the public:

2022:

2023:

2024:

STEM campus

The MINT campus is the learning platform of the MINT community and is particularly aimed at people who are active and committed to MINT education. The learning opportunities are open to everyone, easily accessible and free of charge. To do this, we develop high-quality formats together with MINT actors and curate existing exciting learning opportunities. In addition, digital and analogue community offerings are made visible. Both the platform and the learning offerings are developed according to an open innovation process. 

The MINT campus is being implemented as a project as part of the MINT action plan by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) funded. As a group, it is managed by matrix gGmbH, den Donors' Association and the  Children's Research Foundation implemented together.

matrix gGmbH is responsible for the network coordination as well as for the development and support of communities. Another focus is on the technical implementation of the learning platform and public relations.

The project has been running since 2023 and is initially planned for three years. The federal government is currently planning to use the MINT campus as a basis for numerous other training platforms and to expand it further together with the project team.

In recent years, the following events have been implemented as part of the project:

2022:

2023:

2024:

The following project results were published and made available to the public:

2022:

2023:

2024:

MINT.OBadges

With the MINT.OBadges project, we have created an innovative platform that awards digital badges for special achievements and skills in the MINT field. These badges can be acquired by pupils and students and serve as recognition of their achievements.

The aim is to create additional motivation for learning and personal development in the STEM field. The platform is very popular and helps to increase engagement and enthusiasm for STEM topics.

No events have been organized so far. However, the interim results have been presented at numerous large events such as didacta and Re:publica and discussed with the various communities.

makeopaedics

The makeopaedics project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), focuses on the development and production of individualized orthopedic aids for people with disabilities using 3D printing technologies.

Open and collaborative development of aids in orthopedics helps patients and SMEs. In the MakeOpaedics project, innovative open source hardware was created using digital manufacturing methods - with the aim of driving change in the healthcare system and making individual aids accessible to a broad section of the population. The project team is further developing existing maker prototypes in a co-creative process.

The results of the project were published in specialist publications and presented at various conferences and trade fairs. Among other awards, it received the Rhineland Entrepreneurship Innovation Prize.

The project's main partners include the FabLab at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. The project started in 2020 and ended in 2022/2023.

During the reporting period, the following events were implemented or attended and results published as part of the project:

Conducting a workshop “Wearables and Soft Robotics in the

The project won the following awards, among others:

matrixLab

With the help of funding from the zdi-ERDF-React program NRW, the matrixLab was set up, a modern laboratory for the implementation of innovative educational projects in the MINT area.

The laboratory offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience in an inspiring environment and to take part in exciting experiments and projects.

The main target group are so-called easy-to-ignore groups, i.e. young people who very often and for various reasons cannot take part in extracurricular learning opportunities.

The aim of the matrixLab is to facilitate access to modern technology and scientific research and to promote interest in STEM careers. Since its opening in 2023, the laboratory has welcomed numerous school classes and project groups. Participation is free of charge.

The partners for setting up the matrixLab. The laboratory project was opened in July 2023 and is running successfully.

So far, around 20 events have been held in the lab itself. Participants included both young target groups and STEM education networks, with whom new concepts for courses were worked on.

In addition, there will be around 2024 more courses in 15 that will be implemented locally throughout NRW in schools and other public places.

ND + MINT

The team has submitted a new project to the BMBF that will investigate the conditions for success of extracurricular STEM education measures for so-called neurodiverse children and young people.

This project is also explicitly designed (like matrixLab and makeopaedics) as an approach to promote social participation and better democratic structures.

The project was developed together with the HWR Berlin and the University of York. A funding decision is expected in the spring.