The Duke Award as an Elective Course: For New Challenges and Social Engagement

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is a new elective course offered at Steinmühle for students aged 14 and older. The program is offered in over 130 countries and was developed to encourage young people to learn new skills, get involved in community service, promote physical fitness, and experience adventure. Upon successful completion at the end of the school year, participants receive the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which consists of a pin and a certificate and is internationally recognized. The program consists of four main areas: Service, Skills, Fitness, and Expedition. By participating in various activities within these areas, participants can earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards, each of which has different requirements and presents an increasing level of challenge. Steinmühle will begin with the Bronze level in the coming school year. Everything is documented in an online record book and ultimately verified by assessors. At the end of the school year, the nature expedition takes place. In groups of 4–7 students, the students must independently carry out a two-day, one-night expedition in nature—without technical aids—to complete a specific “research assignment” or expedition goal. The expedition is unaccompanied, meaning the students set out together on foot along a route they have chosen themselves—armed with a map and a backpack—and then spend the night in a tent before continuing the next day. At the end, they give a final presentation on their expedition and present their research findings. Prerequisites for the expedition are participation in expedition training and the completion of a shortened trial expedition.

Theresa Großer, along with René Schulenberg, Marc Bepperling, and Linda Hörner, will serve as Award Leaders in the coming school year. To prepare for this role, the team attended a training session together with Aylin Yüzgülen-Bienek. Currently, 25 students from the upcoming 8th, 9th, and 10th grades have registered. Principal Björn Gemmer thanked Theresa Großer for overseeing the certification process that Steinmühle had to complete to offer the program, and Frank Wemme for implementing it as part of the elective curriculum.

More information about the program is available at https://duke-award.de/