Education

KinderUni of TU Dortmund University

The KinderUni (children’s university) in Dortmund was established in 2004. It sends out the message that university researchers and lecturers are more and more open to the society around them and keen to raise the enthusiasm of young people for science.

Zwei Kinder sitzen im Hörsaal und machen Notizen

Europe

Germany

Dortmund

Funding period: 2013-2023

Mehrere Kinder stehen um einen Tisch, auf dem ein Experiment aufgebaut ist — Exciting science and research is taught in a fun way. Photo: TU Dortmund University

The "KinderUni" is a series of events hosted by TU Dortmund University, targeting children aged eight to twelve. In fun events that are specially designed for children, professors get to the bottom of fascinating questions and share exciting findings from science and research. The "KinderUni" offers events in a number of thematic areas: technology is fun (engineering), sustainable business (economics), discovering Dortmund (history of art) and knowledge is fun (cross-disciplinary focus).

Stifter Dr.-Ing. E.h. Jochen Opländer (Wilo-Foundation) zeigt interessierten Kindern wie eine Heizung funktioniert — Founder Dr.-Ing. E.h. Jochen Opländer (Wilo-Foundation) shows how a heating system works. Photo: TU Dortmund University

Ein Gruppenfoto mit den teilnehmenden Kinder, die die Hände in die Höhe strecken — On the occasion of Wilo's 150th anniversary, TU Dortmund University presented its Children's University 2022 in a special format at Wilopark. Photo: TU Dortmund University

As part of its support for STEM, the Wilo-Foundation, a family foundation, wants to give children an opportunity to discover the adventure of science at an early age so as to spark their passion for these subjects. That is why, with financial support of the Wilo-Foundation (here: as a trustee of the WILO-Stiftung), the “Technik macht Spaß” (“technology is fun”) programme was launched in 2013 at the KinderUni of TU Dortmund University. The Wilo-Foundation has been sponsoring the programme ever since. At the first event of the series, founder Dr.-Ing. h.c. Jochen Opländer, together with Prof. Dr. Michael Steinbrecher, let the children in on the secrets of heating technology.

Photo Header: TU Dortmund

Our funding partner

Since its founding more than 55 years ago (1968), TU Dortmund University has developed a highly diverse profile, encompassing 17 faculties ranging from science and engineering to social sciences and culture studies. The university has more than 32,400 students and 6,600 employees, including 325 professors. It offers 80 degree programmes in traditional and innovative subjects, including some unique programmes such as science journalism or spatial planning, and a broad range of programmes for future teachers of all school types.

Development Goals

The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) forms the global framework for action for socially, economically and ecologically sustainable development. Our funding commitment also supports these sustainability goals. With this project, we are making a contribution to achieving the following SDGs:

What are the SDGs`?