Children want to understand the world around them and demand comprehensible answers. They want tangible and vivid examples of how something works. This idea gave rise to the educational project "Experiments from the briefcase", which was launched on 11 February at the SWG-infoZentrum on Giessen's market square. The handy experiment kits with 20 different exhibits enable primary school teachers to visualise phenomena relating to electricity. The children not only have the opportunity to recreate experiments themselves, but can also develop completely new ones. "When selecting the materials, we made sure that the children are familiar with them from everyday life or that they are very inexpensive to buy," says Manfred Weller from Steinbach primary school, who developed the "Experiments from the briefcase". The aim is to minimise the financial outlay for the schools and make the experiments understandable for the children. The didactic concept also includes teacher training, sponsored by the IHK, VDI and the Hessian Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs.
The cases and experimental panels are produced in-house at the Willy Brandt School in Giessen. Pupils from the Theodor Litt School produce the 20 different exhibits in the "briefcase".
The project is supported by VDI-Bezirksverein Mittelhessen e. V., Stadtwerke Gießen and other sponsors and public organisations. "We are delighted to see so many supporters gathered around one table," said Wolfgang Halbach from the VDI, thanking everyone involved for their commitment.
For Michael Rösner, Head of Private and Commercial Customer Sales at SWG, the educational value of the experiments should not be underestimated. "For some people, the subject of electricity remains a closed book for the rest of their lives," he says, referring to the daily experiences of the SWG energy consultants. The already difficult topic has often been presented relatively late in schools and then usually in a rather abstract way. This is why we should start teaching the subject earlier and introduce a child-orientated, playful element at primary school. "Manfred Weller has succeeded in doing just that," summarised Michael Rösner.
"So that not only the pupils at the primary school in Steinbach can enjoy the "experiments", five copies of the "briefcases" can now also be borrowed free of charge from us at the infoCentre," says municipal utility employee Inge Debus. "We are sure that there is a wide range of people interested in this type of educational game." Registration for the loan and further information for pupils, teachers and parents can be obtained from SWG by calling 0641/708-1408 or 0641/708-1177.