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The “Haus der kleinen Forscher” uses digital ideas in the field of education. Constanze will tell us more about the foundation aims and the benefits of digitalization. Instead of old-school leaflets, they use an event app and many other interactive solutions. This way they improve the communication with their participants and protect the environment.
Our guest today is Constanze Reinhardt from the “Haus der kleinen Forscher”. The foundation “Haus der kleinen Forscher” promotes better education in the fields of mathematics, computer science, natural science and technology (STEM) for girls and boys of primary school age. With a nationwide training programme, it helps pedagogical specialists and teachers in encouraging children’s spirit of discovery.
LineUpr: Hello, Constanze. Thank you for your time. Please introduce yourself and the “Haus der kleinen Forscher” in your own words. What are your goals and which role do events play?
Constanze: The non-profit foundation “Haus der kleinen Forscher” is committed to good early education in the domains of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Our aim is to strengthening girls and boys for the future and enabling them to act sustainably. Together with our local network partners, we offer an educational programme throughout Germany. This programme supports pedagogical specialists and teachers to accompany children of primary school age in discovering, researching and learning.
Our partners are the Helmholtz Association, the Siemens Foundation, the Dietmar Hopp Foundation and the Deutsche Telekom Foundation. It is also funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.
I am the head of the “Campaigns & Events” team. We carry out public campaigns such as the kindergarten contest “Forschgeist” or the nationwide “Tag der kleinen Forscher”. Besides, we advise and support our colleagues in the planning and execution of all kinds of events.
LineUpr: How much time and effort do you invest on average in planning these events?
Constanze: That depends on the event; Whether it is a small evening event with 30 attendees or a sizeable two-day conference with more than 400 guests. Finally, we invest as much time as necessary to make the event a success.
LineUpr: What is the typical target group of your events and how do you reach them? Do you use specific processes or what channels and tools do you use for the marketing and presentation of these events?
Constanze: We address very different target groups with our events. First our network partners, trainers, pedagogical specialists and teachers from kindergartens, day nurseries and elementary schools but also representatives from politics, business, science, and society.
Each target group has different needs, uses different channels and sometimes speaks a different language. That is why we use all instruments that work for us: These are mainly our website, email marketing and social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter.
LineUpr: Do you also use print products? If so, which ones and why?
Constanze: Yes, we also send invitations the traditional way via postal service. In selected cases, we also enclose information material on the event. We also have a kindergarten and primary school magazine: The “Forscht mit” has a circulation of 35,000 units! With this magazine, we reach all the kindergartens and elementary schools that take part in the “Haus der kleinen Forscher”.
LineUpr: For the first time, you have used LineUpr for the International Dialogue on STEM. Tell us more about this event.
Constanze: The International Dialogue on STEM is a joint initiative of the “Haus der kleinen Forscher” and the Siemens Foundation. In 2017 the conference was under the patronage of the German UNESCO Commission and supported by the Federal Foreign Office and the Robert Bosch Foundation.
Global trends such as digitization, social inequality, migration or climate change call for interdisciplinary solutions and holistic competence development. At the International Dialogue on STEM (IDoS), international experts from the fields of practice, science, politics, and society exchanged insights on early childhood education in the domains of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology (STEM). In the center was the question whether our early childhood education is still future-oriented in the face of a rapidly changing world.
LineUpr: Since we’re on the subject, how did you hear about Lineupr and what was the primary reason to use an event app?
Constanze: We came across LineUpr through a magazine. For the International Dialogue on STEM we decided to use an app for the first time. There were several reasons for this: In contrast to a printed booklet, the app allows you to make short-term adjustments to the program. Valuable information such as changing rooms can be communicated quickly. This is service-oriented and saves resources – in this case paper. We also wanted to conduct surveys in real time. Thanks to the app, we were able to do so.
LineUpr: Have you already used event apps?
Constanze: No, that was entirely new to us.
LineUpr: Are you also be using other digital solutions for your events, such as live streaming, polling systems or automatic sign-up processes?
Constanze: Yes, we do. Currently mainly for automatic login procedures.
LineUpr: The keyword digitization is a big topic in Germany. How do you think this trend will change your company and events?
Constanze: Digitalisation is already influencing us in the conception and implementation of our events. It is normal for our target groups to shop online and communicate via social media. They know the benefits of the digital advancement. So do we: As part of our events, we already communicate via Facebook, Twitter and Co., use a digital invitation management, an event app, and live streaming.
The further the digital transformation progresses, the faster and more comprehensively technologies, but also structures and processes will change. We deal proactively with these developments and rethink our role within this framework. I see digitization as an opportunity to optimize event management processes and improve the user experience of our guests.
LineUpr: What is your ultimate tip for newcomers to the event industry!
Constanze: I would like to share Steve Jobs’ mantra: “Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”
Thank you, Constanze for the great interview and the motivating closing words. It was a pleasure to talk with you. It impresses to see how far the “Haus der kleinen Forscher” already is in the implications of digitalization. If you want to know more about Constanze and the “Haus der kleinen Forscher” you will find more facts at their homepage or Facebook-Page.
