How to encourage children to take up science? Get them interested young! A love of science starts in childhood. Through Henkel's "Forscherwelt" (Researchers' World) education initiative, children discover the thrill of scientific experimentation. They become little researchers and get a playful introduction into science's secrets. The initiative's patron is Dr. Simone Bagel-Trah, Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board and the Shareholders' Committee at Henkel. The international education initiative is looking back at more than 10 successful years.
Researchers' World
The “Researchers' World” concept
- In 2011, Henkel set up a dedicated “Researchers' World” center in Düsseldorf that is tailored to children’s needs. In this area, children can take on the role of a researcher.
- Since then, the education initiative has become global. There are "Researchers' World projects" in 18 countries in North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
- In Stamford, Istanbul Dubai and India, Henkel operates three additional extracurricular Researchers' World learning sites together with established educational partners. In other countries, trained teachers visit elementary schools and conduct experiments with children there.
- Internationally, “Researchers’ World” is established at selected Henkel sites and schools under its slogan of “Being like a scientist.”
- Since 2020, the classroom program has been supplemented and expanded with digital content and formats. These include videos, live streams of hands-on experiments, and hybrid forms.
Varied opportunities for children and teachers
- At “Researchers' World” children have the chance to conduct their first scientific experiments. The experiments touch upon the topics of glue, washing & cleaning, cosmetics, and sustainability. Kids can ask experts questions and gain insight into how research is conducted.
- The educational concept of “Researchers' World” was developed by Prof. Dr. Katrin Sommer, Chair of Chemistry Didactics at Ruhr-University Bochum.
- Further professional development courses for teachers also take place at “Researchers' World” on a regular basis.
