The launch day was a great success, with enthusiastic participation from all students. Local UK and Ireland ExCom members also attended the event to show their support for the initiative and get hands-on with the experiments.
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Henkel Launches Forscherwelt in the UK and Ireland: Inspiring Young Minds in STEM
Henkel UK and Ireland has officially introduced Forscherwelt, Henkel’s global initiative created to spark an early passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM). The launch event, on 6 February 2025 at Maple Grove Primary School in Hemel Hempstead, marked the country’s entry into the growing international Forscherwelt network.
Forscherwelt, which translates to “Researchers’ World,” has been engaging young learners in hands-on scientific exploration since its debut at Henkel’s Düsseldorf headquarters in 2011. Now, children in the UK and Ireland will have the opportunity to embrace their natural curiosity by taking on the role of real-life researchers in a dynamic, interactive setting.
In partnership with EDT, a leading educational charity dedicated to connecting young people with industry, Forscherwelt offers children aged 8 to 10 a hands-on experience in scientific discovery. The programme is designed to encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and a love of experimentation by letting young participants assume the role of a real researcher. Through interactive experiments that mirror real-life research challenges, children are given the freedom to test ideas, embrace the possibility of failure, and learn in a supportive, creative environment.
Reflecting Henkel’s diverse expertise - from adhesives to personal care - Forscherwelt not only introduces children to scientific concepts but also inspires them to think about how innovation can address global challenges.
A love of science starts in childhood. We want to be able to inspire curiosity about the scientific world from an early age. The Forscherwelt classes are based on research areas that Henkel is active in, such as gluing, washing, personal care and sustainability. The latter involves teaching children how to become future sustainable scientific leaders.
Tracy Mitchley, Head of Corporate Communications, Norden
“Societies need people fluent STEM, a critical aspect of what Henkel is about, and this programme is Henkel’s contribution to the field of scientific research. We are proud to have one of Henkel global Adhesive Technologies Centre of Excellences in Ireland, and hopefully we will see some of these future leaders working for Henkel one day,” says Sutinder, Country President for UK, Ireland and Norden.
With plans to engage over 1,000 children in its inaugural year and further expand in the coming years, Forscherwelt represents Henkel’s commitment to fostering the next generation of scientific leaders.
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![A young boy wearing a white lab coat stands and smiles brightly. He appears excited and engaged.]()
![A young boy and girl wearing white lab coats and safety goggles conduct a science experiment.]()
![Two young boys wearing white lab coats and safety goggles conduct a science experiment.]()
For more information on the programme and Henkel’s efforts in STEM education, please visit henkel-forscherwelt.com.
