25 Years of MINT-EC – School Leadership Conference 2025
@MINT-EC, Schulleitungstagung 2025
25 Years of MINT-EC – School Leadership Conference 2025 in Wuppertal, Germany, Sets Strong Impulses for the Future of STEM Education
Six new member schools, over 60 workshops, a new school competition, and intensive exchange on AI in education
To mark the 25th anniversary of the national excellence school network MINT-EC, around 400 principals, STEM coordinators, partners, supporters, and interested guests came together in Wuppertal from November 28 to 29, 2025, for the annual MINT-EC School Leadership Conference. The event offered a diverse program with more than 60 workshops, expert lectures, and a comprehensive education fair – and provided important impetus for the continued development of STEM education in Germany.
A central highlight of the conference was the ceremonial admission of six new member schools. Their addition strengthens the network and expands its nationwide expertise in school-based STEM promotion. The newly certified schools enrich the network with fresh perspectives, best-practice approaches, and new potential for collaboration.
The German International School Washington D.C. received special recognition. A certified member since 2019, it is one of only five international schools worldwide that belong to the MINT-EC network – and the only member school in the United States.
Through its successful certification, students at GISW benefit from:
• participation in MINT-EC camps and academies,
• access to nationwide competitions such as Jugend präsentiert, Jugend forscht, and new AI competition formats,
• intensive exchange with universities, research institutions, and partner schools,
• expanded support and learning opportunities in an international context.
A key thematic focus of the conference was the discussion surrounding artificial intelligence in the classroom. School leaders are increasingly confronted with questions about ethical responsibility, data protection, didactic integration, and the role of AI in learning processes.
In her keynote “School Development in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” Jutta Schneider emphasized the extent to which AI is already shaping learning:
“AI is transforming not only our everyday lives but also learning itself. Schools need orientation, courage, and exchange – and this is exactly what our network provides. The conference once again demonstrates the innovative strength of our member schools.”
Workshops and practical examples from schools showed the many ways AI can be used meaningfully, responsibly, and in ways that support learning – from automated diagnostics to adaptive learning systems and creative projects in computer science and STEM subjects.
With its extensive STEM programs, DISW is clearly on the right path.
Steffi Colopy
STEM coordinator
