Project work “technik4kids” at the College of Engineering, Arts and Crafts St. Pölten:

 

The College of Engineering, Arts and Crafts St. Pölten cooperates with primary schools according to the slogan “You’re never too young for technology”. The aim of this project work is to make the occupation of a technician more attractive to primary school kids.

 Experiences  due to public relations in lower secondary schools have proven that it is very difficult to overcome existing prejudices concerning the choice of an occupation.

 For eight years the College has tried to improve the situation for girls at this type of school (projects:  HTL4girls, Girls Day).

 With the project “technik4kids” the College wants to attract boys and girls at much earlier stages, namely in primary schools, and to present the variety of different fields of education at the College. The kids’ interest in technology can be aroused here with ease.

 Two days are chosen for the exchange of ideas between primary school kids and students of the College.

On the first day the HTL-Scouts (trained in specific workshops) visit the kids in their school. After getting to the bottom of several occupations questions like “Why does a bulb burn?” or “What does a computer mouse look like from the inside?” are answered with the help of special “technology cases” which contain necessary tools and work materials.

On the second day the primary school kids visit the College and  together with the HTL-Scouts and committed teachers of the workshop they work in different parts of the workshop and laboratories.

 Each teacher is astonished at the enthusiasm and skills of the kids. Younger kids and especially girls seem to do their tasks in a much more unprejudiced way than as if being a pupil of a lower secondary school.

 The pilot project took place in the school year 2007/08 and was awarded the prize in the category KT (creativity, innovation, and technology) by the “Industriellenvereinigung Österreichs” in 2009.

In the school year 2008/09 two further primary schools took part in this project.

 

Contact address:

Mag

HTBLuVA St. Pölten

Waldstraße 3, 3100 St. Pölten

E-Mail: irene.richter@htlstp.ac.at

a Irene Richter