STEM Education

To help shape the response to the challenges of technological change, the Jena City Council adopted a plan in 2016 for education in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology, titled “Strengthening the Jena MINT Education Region.” The plan provides a status report on activities in the field of science, technology, and mathematics education. The necessary personnel and financial resources were outlined for twelve initiatives targeting various age groups and audiences. The strategy was updated in 2024 and approved by the Jena City Council in 2025. It is now available as the new Jena STEM Strategy 2025–2028.

Witelo – Science and Technology Learning Centers in Jena is a collaborative network dedicated to promoting science and technology education for children and young people in Jena. Since 2012, Witelo has been bringing together and connecting providers of STEM education in the city. Parents and other interested parties can find information on the Witelo website and in regular newsletters about STEM education initiatives and projects, as well as current events such as workshops and summer programs. Through witelo-mobil, the organization now also offers its own experimental clubs at schools, lends out workshop kits, and holds after-school workshops in collaboration with schools under the title “mach-bar!” Additionally, witelo e.V. serves as the operating body for the Jena Student Research Center.

The Jena Student Research Center has been working with research clubs at several schools since 2016. It has its own research workshop located at Imaginata. The programs are designed, on the one hand, for a broad group of students of all ages with a general interest in science. On the other hand, the research clubs offer high-quality, specialized guidance specifically to children and teenagers with a deep interest in the subject and a strong commitment to learning. Support and advice are also available to anyone who wants to participate in the “Jugend forscht!” competition. The Student Research Center is an initiative of the Thuringian Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports and the Thuringian Foundation for Technology, Innovation, and Research (STIFT). Both institutions, together with the City of Jena, fund the Student Research Center.

The STEM Education Fund supports initiatives in Jena in implementing projects focused on education in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology (STEM).

The projects are aimed at children and young people in daycare, school, or recreational settings. The STEM theme does not have to be explicitly mentioned in the project title or description. Social or real-life topics, as well as art, culture, or sports, can also serve as a starting point. The key criterion for funding is that the project imparts skills or knowledge in the STEM disciplines to a significant extent. This can be done in an interdisciplinary or cross-disciplinary manner.

A total of 25,000 euros is available annually for the STEM Education Fund.

Funding is provided for:

• Projects in early childhood, school-based, and out-of-school education that impart knowledge in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, or technology,
• STEM competitions in both school and extracurricular settings.

The STEM Education Fund pursues the following goals in particular:

• To promote STEM competencies among children and youth in accordance with their individual prior knowledge through a broad spectrum of introductory and advanced programs,
• to explore new approaches to STEM topics and attract additional target groups to STEM,
• strengthen the integration of in-school and out-of-school education,
• to support a diverse and balanced range of STEM educational programs covering various subject areas and formats,
• to fund exemplary STEM education projects.

Procedure

• The STEM Education Fund is governed by the City of Jena’s General Grant Guidelines(PDF)applicable to voluntary grants .
• Applications are submitted via the City of Jena’s grant portal. A one-time registration is required. Information about the grant portal, the application process, and the relevant contact persons can be found here.
• Applications for grants of up to 1,000 euros are decided upon by the city administration and a specialized committee. Applications for grants exceeding 1,000 euros are decided upon by the Jena City Council’s Committee on Schools and Sports based on the committee’s expert recommendation.
• For guidance on the content of your application, please contact Stefanie Teichmann (see the “Contact” menu) or Dr. Christina Waltherat witelo e.V.