Advanced Art Class at the Art Association: A former student is also exhibiting there

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With great curiosity and a desire to engage with the art, the students in Ines Vielhaben’s advanced art class explored the diverse exhibits at the Kunstverein. The Kunstverein is currently showcasing works by 21 artists from Marburg, including Francesco Scheffczyk. The former Steinmühle student is presenting a series of 10 analog black-and-white photographs and a website through which he explores youth subculture. The Kunstverein’s galleries also feature sculpture, installation art, painting, and graphic art.

The spacious art association rooms offer plenty of room in front of the exhibits for visitors to engage in a hands-on dialogue with their favorite pieces in the exhibition using chalk, colored pencils, and large-format paper. During their brief visit, the young artists produced impressive results, which they were able to present during a short guided tour.

Live experiments at home on your screen – Online workshop “STEM: The Stars of Tomorrow”

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From late June through late August, eighth- and ninth-graders from Hesse had the opportunity to participate in an online workshop on STEM. During the workshop, the students received guidance from top-notch instructors on topics that are rarely covered—or only briefly touched upon—in school. These included many fascinating insights into renewable energy technology, biological and chemical processes, as well as experiments and mathematical equations. In addition, the students programmed their own game on the computer and even built an electric motor. To enable the students to conduct experiments on their own at home, Provadis sent material kits to their homes for the sessions (e.g., construction materials and chemicals). During the 10 two-hour video conferences, the students conducted experiments at home and discussed their findings with their peers and the subject experts. At the final session, several experts presented various STEM careers.

Provadis originally developed this series of events in Frankfurt a few years ago in cooperation with five science centers in Hesse. When in-person events were no longer permitted starting in March 2020, they developed this “Online STEM Workshop.” Since this workshop has been so well received by young people, it will be offered in the future both as an “online program” and, as soon as possible, as an in-person event.

Students who are interested can find out more about the upcoming “Mint – The Stars of Tomorrow” program by clicking the following link: https://www.provadis.de/provadis-gruppe/aktuelles/details/news/schuelerinnen-experimentieren-zuhause-live-am-bildschirm.html

I definitely had a lot of fun at the workshop, and I can really recommend taking part.
Joshua Wieder

Many thanks again to Ms. Tschirch from Chemikum Marburg for bringing this opportunity to our attention!

Award for a Trio of Researchers: It’s True After All! Organic Fields Offer Better Soil

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Leontin Schmidt, Mats Egbring, and Leonard Berger have proven what is often merely claimed: Organic fields are less polluted than conventional fields and therefore provide a better foundation for growing healthy food. For their work, the students and their teacher, Dr. Jutta Töhl-Borsdorf, have now received an award of recognition and certificates from the “BundesUmweltWettbewerb” (BUW), an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Research and Education.

Early in the year, before the pandemic-related measures took effect, the trio—who were interested in the natural sciences—had already submitted their project for the competition. “Soil Analyses and Implications for Our School Lunches” was the title the then-sixth graders gave to their project, which had taken up a great deal of time for them and their supervising teacher. Various soil samples were tested for their nitrate content, as well as for ammonium, phosphate, potassium, their pH value, and their so-called KAK value. This value measures the soil’s ability to release nutrients.

 

Nitrate Pollution as a Priority Area for Monitoring

The studies focused on nitrate levels. Nitrate, which is converted into nitrite in the body, inhibits oxygen transport and is suspected of being carcinogenic in higher amounts due to further reactions that produce so-called nitrosamines.

The project wasn’t limited to the in-depth studies. It also included a survey of the school community. The survey asked about consumption and eating habits regarding organically grown products, as well as students’ perceptions of their health benefits. The sixth graders also wanted to know whether Steinmühlen students would like to see even more organic options in the cafeteria and bistro at Steinmühlenküche.

As far as the soil samples are concerned, the results speak for themselves. It was found that soils from organic farming do indeed show better test results, which was particularly evident in the nitrate levels. The committee was pleased to have discovered, as part of the experiment, that the forest soils examined still show good values overall.

 

Supplementary Survey on Organic Food

The positive attitude of the students surveyed toward organic food confirmed to the three students and their teacher that the overall topic of their experiment is highly relevant and has “struck a chord.” However, the results also revealed that food selection in the Steinmühle kitchen is already largely guided by the principles of “organic, regional, and fair trade.” “We would,” the students said, “also be happy if this shift in thinking regarding food choices continued not only in the Steinmühle kitchen but also at home within individual families.”

In addition to project supervisor Dr. Jutta Töhl-Borsdorf, who closely oversaw all aspects of the project and was awarded a certificate in recognition of her efforts, Dr. Dietmar von der Ahe, who provided assistance with the numerous soil samples, and Dirk Lange, who managed the SurveyMonkey survey.

Although the BUW jury concluded that the project could be resubmitted after further development, the three young researchers are now focusing on water analysis. They have already begun testing nitrate levels in the Lahn River.

Additional Equipment for the Student Lab – Workbench and Sensors

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As a school with the “School for the Gifted” seal of approval, we can apply annually for funding from the Hessian Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs to provide individualized support for gifted students. Fortunately, this made it possible to finance a small workbench for the student lab.
Time and again, students also want to engage in hands-on activities, as has been the case in various “Jugend forscht” projects over the past two years. Three 10th-grade students are currently building a device as part of their “Jugend Forscht” project to investigate how much oxygen various oxidizing agents can produce at high temperatures. The workbench now makes this work easier.
The gas evolution over time is being monitored using an oxygen probe, which was funded earlier this year through the “Jugend Forscht” sponsor pool.
Another “Jugend Forscht” group from 7th grade also received the go-ahead in September to purchase a high-quality nitrate probe, which will be used to conduct research in the Lahn River.

Cambridge certificates attest to a high level of English proficiency

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Undeterred by the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Steinmühlen students have once again achieved outstanding results in English this year and earned the globally recognized Cambridge Certificate. Subject teacher Nicole Hohm and Principal Björn Gemmer praised the graduates highly for this achievement and posed for a group photo with them. Examiner Diane Oliver was also very pleased with the results and attested to the students’ excellent performance at a high linguistic level. The students had already achieved these results during the previous school year, while they were still in 11th grade. The photo session takes place a little later each year, specifically once the certificates are available.

Launching a New Sport: Tennis Clubs in Elementary School and Grades 5–6

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During a visit to the Steinmühle campus, Hans-Jürgen Schneider, chairman of the Marburg-Biedenkopf Tennis Association, found ideal conditions for tennis: The boarding school maintains the courts and thus the necessary infrastructure. Schneider’s suggestion to get young Steinmühlen students excited about tennis was well received by Principal Björn Gemmer. The school then surveyed interest in the “white sport” among elementary school students and those in grades 5 and 6.

The call for participants generated such a strong response that, since the beginning of September, 16 elementary school students have been training on Wednesdays from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m., followed by 19 fifth- and sixth-graders from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Three coaches are available to work with the children: Patrick Voyé is provided by the tennis association, and former Steinmühlen students Nina and Tom Horn assist him.

The opportunity to use the tennis courts for school clubs is yet another sign of the successful collaboration between the school and the Steinmühle boarding school. The administrators at Steinmühle—and, of course, Hans-Jürgen Schneider as the initiator—hope that the students will enjoy tennis so much that they will join a tennis club in the local tennis district and make the sport a lifelong hobby.

Unfortunately, the Steinmühlen Fall Festival has been canceled!

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2020 is a special year—unfortunately, without the Steinmühlen Fall Festival. However, we’re hopeful that we’ll be able to celebrate together again at our Steinmühlen grounds next year. So please be sure to mark September 25, 2021, on your calendar! 😊👍

Boarding School Weekend as an Adventure Weekend

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The first boarding school weekend on the grounds of Steinmühle Boarding School offered a varied program for all 83 students and their teachers: From traditional sports activities to craft projects and moments of intentional relaxation, there was something for everyone. The educational philosophy of Steinmühle Boarding School was fully embraced right from the start of the school year: strengthening community and providing active breaks from the (academic) stress of the week.

The First House Evening: The Living Groups All to Themselves

And so the weekend kicked off on Friday evening with the traditional house night: Each living group plans its evening according to its own preferences. The evening activities reflect the individual interests of the living groups. For example, the guys from the main house let off some steam at the Jump’n Fly trampoline park in Gießen, while the girls and guys from the Hessenhaus preferred to spend a cozy evening at home enjoying a delicious meal. Fueled by pizza on Friday evening, the boys from the Mühle began renovating their common room, while the students from the Biohaus ventured into a colorful wonderland at the 4D black-light mini-golf course in Linden. The Westfalenhaus spent the evening singing and dancing to SingStar and Just Dance in the tea room on the boarding school grounds, while the residents of the Bremerhaus residential group relaxed and let their gaze wander from Landgrave Castle in Marburg across the city and countryside.

A weekend full of adventures

The weekend program for the entire boarding school community was just as varied as Friday’s in-house opening event.

The sports-loving students were able to let off some steam with fitness activities, soccer, baseball, and badminton. On Saturday, the trip to Lake Eder offered a welcome change of scenery from the boarding school grounds. Even though the water level of Lake Eder has dropped significantly in recent weeks and months, it still offered ideal conditions for trying out the seven newly purchased SUPs (stand-up paddleboards). And for those who preferred a classic canoe trip, there was an opportunity on Sunday to paddle down the Lahn River under the guidance of staff, starting directly from the Steinmühle boarding school grounds.

 

This weekend, the students with a knack for crafts had the opportunity to create vertical gardens or build their own beach bar. The vertical gardens were created using pallets, soil, dirty hands, and small herb plants in the Westfalenhaus garden, where they are accessible to everyone. And on Saturday, the Beach Bar construction project kicked off: On the newly developed Lahn grounds, which feature a professional beach volleyball court, a real beach bar is, of course, a must. And under the guidance of their teachers, the students are building it entirely on their own—from applying the wood primer to the subsequent assembly.

Mindful Relaxation for the Boarding School Community

In addition to opportunities for physical exertion, this weekend also offered intentionally planned moments of respite for both body and soul. The delicious warm brownies baked by the boarding school community’s baking club sweetened Saturday afternoon, and in the evening, enthusiastic students gathered to collect new recipes for “Meat-Free Monday” at the Steinmühle. On Sunday morning, anyone interested could relax and try their hand at making macramé keychains. The journaling session offered moments of deep self-reflection: developing visions, focusing on goals, and becoming aware of one’s strengths and resources. Some students enjoyed this experience entirely on their own, under the guidance of teachers, while sipping tea and listening to relaxing music.

And so, on Sunday evening, those eventful days drew to a close, allowing us to start the new week feeling refreshed and reenergized.

For more photos, feel free to follow our Instagram account @internat.steinmuehle.

Outdoor Back-to-School Ceremony: New 5th Graders Are on Board

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A large campus like the one at Steinmühle currently helps prevent large groups of people from gathering. If the weather cooperates, everything goes smoothly—as was the case recently during the welcome event for the new 5th-grade students.

Parents and children took their seats on wooden benches spaced far apart, while the welcome music played under the direction of Frank Wemme. Principals Bernd Holly and Björn Gemmer gave a brief speech and introduced Jasmine Weidenbach, the chairwoman of the Steinmühle Marburg Friends Association. At the end of the morning, she presented each new student with a Steinmühle T-shirt.

Teachers helped organize the classes using buttons and signs. Who would be in the same class as whom? Those were some exciting moments!

Before visiting the classrooms, there was also a group photo session on the schedule—with signs identifying each class—but this time without the parents.

While the children were getting to know their new classrooms, a refreshment stand was set up for the parents—in compliance with hygiene regulations, of course. The morning—and thus the first day of school for the fifth graders—came to a close at the “Spinne,” Steinmühle’s popular climbing area for younger students.
As is the case every year, some fifth graders quickly swapped out the clothes they’d come in wearing for the T-shirt provided by the booster club—a positive sign for the trip home, as it already signaled their sense of belonging to their new school.

The Steinmühle would like to thank all the volunteers who, despite everything, helped make this “somewhat different first day of school” such a carefree event.

 
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Do you have questions about the school?

School Administration & Management

Björn Gemmer & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-20

schule@steinmuehle.de

Do you have questions about the boarding school?

Boarding School Administration & Management

Anke Muszynski & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-0

internat@steinmuehle.de

Do you have questions about the school?

School Administration & Management

Björn Gemmer & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-20

schule@steinmuehle.de

Do you have questions about the boarding school?

Boarding School Administration & Management

Anke Muszynski & Dirk Konnertz
Phone: 06421 408-0

internat@steinmuehle.de

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