Schloss Torgelow: School
STEM Education
Successfully promoting scientific talents
At Schloss Torgelow, STEM education holds a high priority. We see it as our duty to support and promote scientifically interested students both in the classroom and in extracurricular projects or through independent research work. Our highly qualified science teachers inspire a passion for research and create the best foundations for a successful scientific education. Schloss Torgelow has been certified as a STEM-EC school and is a member of the STEM Excellence Network. Torgelow students rank among the best in STEM subjects in our country.
More time for experiments
At Schloss Torgelow, we would like to have more time for independently conducted experiments. Therefore, we teach according to the double period principle, to make the fascination of the natural sciences individually experienceable during the class hours. Additionally, we divide the school year into four epochs to be able to teach the natural sciences more intensively. Instead of two hours, Torgelow students have four weekly hours of chemistry, biology, or physics in each of the two epochs.
Generate more enthusiasm
We want to inspire our youngest students for the STEM subjects. That’s why we teach subjects such as natural phenomena, environment, and workshop in the lower grades, in addition to the usual curriculum. Here, we cultivate curiosity about scientific connections and showcase the most exciting aspects of biology, chemistry, physics, or technology.
Achieve more excellence
At Schloss Torgelow, we place special emphasis on the development of professional perspectives. To give our students an impression of what to expect in their studies or careers, internships and career information events are part of the school year program. We particularly value collaboration with strong partners in the region and throughout Germany. We work, among others, with hidden champions like Warener Metallguss (MMG) and Coldplasmatech. Furthermore, Schloss Torgelow is a mobile learning location of the University of Rostock. Interested students in middle and upper grades have the opportunity to participate in junior courses at universities and complete seminars that can be credited toward their future studies.
Develop more visions
Starting from the 9th grade, students at Torgelow can take the elective subject of Computer Science/Economics. Here, they not only learn important programming languages and systematic thinking but also develop the necessary understanding to implement their ideas with entrepreneurial spirit. Some of the ideas developed in the class are later tested for their economic viability in the practical competitions “Youth Founding” or “business@school” and further developed for presentation to potential investors.
Set more of your own priorities.
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Computer Science are offered at Schloss Torgelow as five-hour advanced courses. Students interested in the natural sciences can thus establish all the necessary foundations for a scientific degree.
Develop more competencies
The ideal teaching conditions in the small class are utilized by the teachers in Torgelow to make the natural sciences experiential both inside and outside the classroom and specialized rooms. They regularly undertake excursions to extracurricular learning locations, attend expert lectures, and invite specialists as part of the Torgelow Science Academy. By working at extracurricular learning sites and exchanging ideas with high-profile scientists, the competencies of the students are strengthened and their study and career aspirations are solidified. Visiting extracurricular learning locations also contributes to our students’ success in the STEM subjects in the Abitur.
STEM subjects form the foundation for future research. What is needed are young minds who are creative, flexible, smart, and curious, and who are ready to be challenged. Schloss Torgelow embodies exactly these prerequisites.
Dr. Carsten C. Mahrenholz
Founder and CEO of COLDPLASMATECH
The Schloss Torgelow International School is a certified member of the national excellence school network MINT-EC.
What is MINT-EC?
MINT-EC is the national excellence network of schools with secondary education level II and a pronounced profile in mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology (STEM). It was founded in 2000 by employer associations and closely collaborates with their regional educational initiatives. The main sponsors of MINT-EC are the employer association Gesamtmetall as part of the think ING initiative, as well as the Siemens Foundation and the Bavarian employer associations bayme vbm and vbw.
Patronage of the KMK
MINT-EC has been under the patronage of the Presidency of the Conference of Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the States (KMK) since September 2009. The patronage was extended for another five years in 2014. KMK President Sylvia Löhrmann (2014): “Our schools are effectively supported by MINT-EC. The designation as a MINT-EC school indicates an excellent STEM offering at the schools. Our students are excellently educated at these schools.”
The following link provides important supplementary guidelines for the awarding of the MINT-EC certificate with further information: MINT-EC Certificate.
Even though many of today’s STEM projects did not exist during my school years, the emphasis on scientific and technical thinking was already firmly established in Torgelow. Computer science classes were a formative introduction to digital topics for me, providing me not only with methodological confidence but also with self-assurance in dealing with new technologies.
Dr. Klaus Iffländer
Managing Director of Breezy Services GmbH
Our STEM concept at a glance
| Step | Mandatory / compulsory | Elective / Optional area | In-depth / supplementary |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEK 1 | Mathematics from grades 5–10 with 5 hours/week Science lessons in biology/physics/chemistry with 2 hours/week Computer science from grade 5 with 2 hours/week Workshop lessons Shaping the environment, natural phenomena, keyboard Research project and presentation in STEM subjects | Mind Factory Mathematics Projects in the STEM field e.g., Math King and Math Ace, More than Honey, Nangeln – Fishing and Nature, CAD, Woodworking, Robot Light, Torgelow Research, Introduction to Information Technology, Arduino Crafters, Photo Light Junior Studies in cooperation with the University of Rostock/YBS Heidelberg Work experience Two-week internship with assessed report | Competitions e.g., Students Experiment, Youth Presents, Kangaroo Competition, Math Olympiad, Math Day, Math/Physics in Advent, National Math Competition Company tours e.g., DLR_Project_Lab Neustrelitz, Mecklenburger Metallguss GmbH, organic farm, Müritzeum, Mecklenburger Backstuben GmbH, optimal media GmbH, Müritzhof bee station Torgelow Science Academy Exciting STEM lectures for young people |
| SEK 2 | Advanced courses in all STEM subjects with 5 hours/week Basic courses in all STEM subjects with 3 hours/week All three natural sciences and computer science can be selected as parallel courses | Project-based teaching in natural sciences or as junior studies BELL in natural science subjects for the Abitur Projects in the STEM field e.g., team project in applied biology, music performance, photography, car doctors, GoPro, psychology, astronomy, study preparation in mathematics | The competitions e.g., Jugend forscht, Jugend präsentiert, Math, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science Olympiads Visit from research partners z.B. Miltenyi Biotec GmbH, Anatomisches Institut der Uni Rostock, Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, COLDPLASMATECH GmbH Career Day Career and study guidance with support from national/international universities and experts Strong role models – strong children Lectures/discussions with scientists/public figures |
More information about the STEM field
Frequently Asked Questions about STEM Education at the Schloss Torgelow Boarding School
Is your child interested in STEM?
Let us find out together how Schloss Torgelow can specifically promote your child’s talents. Contact me today to schedule an individual consultation or request our brochure.
Frau Anika Vlach
+49 3991 624 216 a.vlach