plus-MINT Talent Development: Steinmühle Hosts the 3rd Math Camp
In-depth insights through engaging workshops: For four days, 23 students in grades 10 and 11 from the Louisenlund, Sankt Afra, and Birklehof boarding schools immersed themselves in mathematics and related STEM fields. For the third year in a row, the plus-MINT Math Camp at Steinmühle provided an inspiring platform for young talents with a special passion for numbers, logic, and analytical thinking.
A Warm Welcome
Our guests were picked up right at the train station and welcomed at the bistro with snacks and drinks—a well-deserved refreshment after their journey, which had been long for some. Afterward, they went straight into the first workshop, led by engineers from the Office of Land Management. During the workshop, the students explored fascinating topics in surveying and learned, among other things, how to calculate the continental drift of the Eurasian Plate. After dinner together, the participants met in the tea room to discuss organizational details and make their final preparations for the upcoming International Bolyai Mathematics Competition.
Bolyai Competition and Workshops
The next day began with participation in the Bolyai Competition. Afterward, Dr. Karl-Heinz Muth led an engaging workshop on the topic “Mental Math—A Forgotten Art Between Variety Show and Everyday Practicality.” During the workshop, participants were introduced to impressive computational skills, such as calculating the exact day of the week for any given date—a fascinating blend of mathematical logic and practical skill.
Variety in the Program
After lunch, the group headed to the Lahnberge, where Prof. Dr. Elmar Tischhauser from the Department of Computer Science captivated the audience with a practical lecture on cryptography. After an eventful day, everyone returned for dinner, and many then took the opportunity to burn off some energy with the sports activities on offer—a welcome change of pace from the intensive program.
Mathematikum: A Must-See
The Mathematikum in Giessen was the destination for the next morning’s excursion. The exhibits and activities at this well-known, large hands-on museum never fail to captivate visitors. Back in Marburg, the group headed once again to the multipurpose building on the Lahnberge, where Prof. Dr. Patrick Mehlitz discussed fundamental questions of mathematical optimization with his young guests.
Experience Industry Up Close
The evening was celebrated with a festive dinner in the cafeteria, as it was, unfortunately, the last one the group of STEM enthusiasts would be able to spend together. The next day’s itinerary included one final excursion to the neighboring Lahn-Dill district. The visit there to the mechanical engineering company Pfeiffer-Vacuum not only offered interesting insights into technical applications but also gave the young people the opportunity to talk directly with students and recent graduates in the fields of mechanical engineering, business informatics, and industrial engineering. During the visit, they were able to ask valuable questions and received helpful guidance regarding their own career prospects.
Farewell and Outlook
After four eventful days, it was finally time to say goodbye. Around noon, the young talents set off for home—full of new impressions, experiences, and (hopefully) inspiration. The time we spent together, during which everyone was able to pursue their passion for STEM subjects, will surely remain in our memories—and those of our guests—for a long time to come.
The plus-MINT Camp, organized by math teacher Maximilian Moll, is an initiative of Steinmühle and is supported by the Association for the Promotion of MINT Talent.
