23 STEM-friendly schools and 14 digital schools from Saxony receive awards. In a ceremony at Dresden University of Applied Sciences (HTWD) on September 2, Minister of State Conrad Clemens honored a total of 37 Saxon schools for their outstanding commitment to mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, technology (STEM), and digitization. Twenty-three schools were honored as “STEM-friendly schools” and 14 schools as “digital schools.” The honors are valid for three years.

For the Dresden University School, this is already the second time it has been awarded with the “Digital School” seal of approval from the national initiative “MINT Zukunft schaffen!” (Creating a Future with STEM). The university community school was first awarded this honor in 2022. 

Headmistress Maxi Heß and Head of Digital Technology Timo Wulff are delighted with the recognition: "Digital technology plays a major role in everyday learning at Dresden University School, especially for older students, but also for learning guides and parents from the moment children start school. The provision of a personal laptop for all students from grade 4 onwards by the city of Dresden is an essential prerequisite for this. Once the children have acquired their laptop license, they can use them in a wide variety of learning situations when they are the right tool for the job.“ Maxi Heß adds: ”The continuous development of the school's own learning and school management software, together with all members of the school community and supported by the ForUS research center at TU Dresden, is a major task from which we hope other schools will soon benefit. Data-based school development is being implemented in tandem by USD and ForUS and shows what a school of the future could look like."

The “Digital School” seal recognizes schools that holistically implement digitalization in education, teacher training, regional networking, concept development, and equipment. The list of criteria is based on the KMK strategy “Education in the Digital World.” The award is scientifically sound, association-neutral, and independent. It is related to the member of the “Digital School Saxony” network with the University School Dresden being a member since 2024.

© Frank Grätz | SMK

Conrad Clemens, Sächsischer Staatsminister für Kultus

“Die ausgezeichneten Schulen zeigen, dass MINT in Sachsen zu Hause ist. Hier werden Schülerinnen und Schüler für Mathematik, Informatik, Naturwissenschaft und Technik begeistert. Fächer, die gebraucht werden, um die Herausforderung von morgen zu meistern. Als „MINT-freundliche Schule“ sowie als „Digitale Schule“ machen wir engagierte Schulen sichtbarer und binden sie in starke Netzwerke ein.”

© Peter Sebb | HTW Dresden

Prof. Dr. Andreas Franze, Prorektor Lehre und Studium an der HTW Dresden

„Technische Lösungen, wie sie von MINT-begeisterten jungen Menschen entwickelt werden, sind der Schlüssel, um die Herausforderungen der Zukunft zu meistern. An der HTW zeigen wir, wie Ideen aus MINT-Fächern in die Praxis übertragen werden. Wir freuen uns, wenn engagierte Schulen ihre Schülerinnen und Schüler für diesen Weg begeistern und so die Basis für die Problemlösungen von morgen legen.“

© Peter Sebb | HTW Dresden

Prof. Dr. Christoph Meinel, Vorsitzender MINT Zukunft e.V.

„Deutschlands Zukunft schlummert in den Köpfen junger MINT-Talente. Die ausgezeichneten Schulen schaffen inspirierende Lernumgebungen, die weit über den Lehrplan hinausgehen. Was Sachsen auszeichnet: Hier gehen MINT und Digital Hand in Hand – viele MINT-freundliche Schulen qualifizieren sich auch als Digitale Schule. Die Auszeichnungen sind Anerkennung für diese vorbildliche MINT-Bildung.“

Initiative "Creating a STEM future!"

© Initiative MINT Zukunft schaffen!

The award was initiated by the national initiative "MINT Zukunft schaffen!", which aims to motivate schools to further sharpen their digital profile and bring more computer science content into the classroom. According to the initiative, schools have become more open to the opportunities of digital education in recent years. They want to develop and drive forward their own digital transformation. The signet is intended to recognize and encourage the commitment of school principals and teachers who are committed to modern education in the digital world.

This year, a total of 37 schools in Saxony recognized as "STEM-friendly schools" and/or "digital schools". The “MINT-friendly schools” award is presented under the patronage of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK).

Further information can be found on the website of the "MINT Zukunft schaffen!" initiative.

About the University School Dresden

Dresden University School is a joint project of the state capital of Dresden and the TUD Dresden University of Technology. It is a public and free community school run by the city, where innovative forms of teaching and learning are tested under scientific supervision. In addition, it is a training school for future teachers and, in the future, a further education school for teachers. The school trial is being scientifically supported by the ForUS research center at TU Dresden.

Information on the research project at TU Dresden: https: //tu-dresden.de/gsw/unischule
Information on the Dresden University School: http://universitaetsschule.org

You can find insights into the research project and everyday school life on various social media channels under @unischuleTUD: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. News from the University School Dresden project can be found regularly in the GSW newsletter.