Riedstadt facility awarded for the third time by the “Children Research” Foundation
Great joy in Riedstadt: The Pfiffikus daycare center has once again been recognized as a "Children's Research Center ." At a ceremony at the Darmstadt Rhein Main Neckar Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) educator Stefanie Müller , daycare center directors Sandra Knodt and Julia Strese , and department head Rick Hölzer accepted the certificate. This is the third certification for the municipal facility in the Büchnerstadt district.
When the daycare center was first recognized in 2021, it was the first municipal institution in the Groß-Gerau district to receive the certificate. The non-profit foundation "Kinder forschen" (Children Research) , funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research , is committed nationwide to early education in science, technology, mathematics, and information technology (STEM) as well as education in the field of sustainable development .
Project “Thema Luft” convinced jury
For its current recertification, the Pfiffikus daycare center worked on the "Topic of Air" project . The children playfully explored how much air weighs, built wind turbines, and learned about the effects of invisible forces. At the Darmstadt Chamber of Industry and Commerce's symposium, which was held under the motto "Research, Ask Questions, Shape the Future ," kindergarten teacher Müller reported on the experiments from the daycare center's practical experience.
twelve daycare centers and primary schools from southern Hesse awarded the certificate on this day
Importance of early STEM education
"Early STEM education in daycare centers and elementary schools opens up equal opportunities for all children, regardless of their parental background, to discover science and develop a lasting interest. It creates the foundation for educational and career paths and thus contributes to greater educational equity," emphasized Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice President Elfi Broschard in her welcoming address.
Certification by the "Kinder forschen" foundation is based on strict quality criteria aligned with the German Kindergarten Quality Seal and the Process-Related Quality Criteria for Science Education . The certificate is valid for two years and can be reapplied for thereafter.
Further information about the foundation and its programs can be found at www.stiftung-kinder-forschen.de
(Riedstadt - Red/PSR)
Featured image: Dr. Nora Hofmann-Kramer of the Kinder forschen Foundation, educator Stefanie Müller, daycare center director Sandra Knodt, department head Rick Hölzer, daycare center director Julia Strese, and Vice President of the Darmstadt Chamber of Industry and Commerce Elfi Broschard (from left) at the award ceremony for the Pfiffikus daycare center. Photo: Darmstadt Chamber of Industry and Commerce/Markus Schmidt
