Exclusive mega-project with radio contact to the Neumayer III Antarctic research station

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The old school year isn’t over yet, but there are already fantastic prospects for the new one: In September, our school will host an extraordinary event—a one-hour live radio contact with Neumayer Station III, the German research station in Antarctica!

“During this time, our students have the unique opportunity to speak directly with the scientists on site, ask questions, and gain insights into their exciting research in one of the most extreme regions on our planet,” reports Malte Klimczak, a teacher at Steinmühlen and the project leader.

 

Classes and courses can participate

Teachers are cordially invited to participate in this initiative with their classes or courses, to incorporate the topic into their lessons, and to prepare specific questions that students can then discuss live with the scientists.

The project is being carried out in cooperation with the DARC (German Amateur Radio Club), Marburg chapter. In the lead-up to the radio contact, interested students will also have the opportunity to explore radio technology both in theory and in practice.

 

“Radio Day” in Preparation

To help students prepare for the content, an overview of Neumayer Station III is available, which includes information on research areas such as climate research, geophysics, ozone and air analyses, penguin observation, and the EDEN-ISS greenhouse project, reports Malte Klimczak. The schedule has also been set: “The plan is to hold a ‘Radio Day’ during the week of September 15, during which interested students will set up and align the antenna, receive an introduction to the technology, and practice radio communication.”

 

Live Chat on September 24

Finally, on September 24, the live session with the station will take place, during which the students—who have practiced beforehand—will be able to speak with the station in real time and ask their questions.

According to Malte Klimczak, after summer break, the project will be discussed in the classes and, ideally, also covered in class, so that questions to be asked can be gathered.

Family Day at Steinmühle Boarding School Highlighted the School’s Sports Programs

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For the annual Family Day in mid-June, Steinmühle Boarding School regularly opens its doors to parents and siblings, as well as to anyone who would like to get to know the school. This year, the boarding school’s educational team, led by Anke Muszynski and her deputy Philipp Dönges, worked together with the students to present a variety of sports activities and demonstrate how both new and established sports are integrated into the boarding school’s daily routine. At every Family Day, parents also have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with the boarding school administration to ask questions and discuss individual matters for the coming school year.

 

We’re working toward equestrian competitions

In recent months, Steinmühle has made significant strides in the area of sports facilities. The equestrian program has been taken to a new level, accompanied by a change in personnel managing the equestrian facilities. The equestrian club has reorganized itself accordingly. The goal of these efforts is to create a modern, professionally managed facility that meets all relevant requirements for hosting equestrian competitions.

 

Kickoff for Professional Tennis Training

The same applies to the tennis courts. Thanks to a great deal of hard work by the staff, the existing facility was completely renovated and reopened for play. During Family Day, in collaboration with partner Heiko Hampl, the managing director of “Play The Pro,” it was announced on site that professional tennis training is now available at Steinmühle. Parents were also able to see for themselves just how sports-oriented Steinmühle already is. The young people gave it their all in the beach volleyball tournament and had a blast with water games and bumper balls.

 

The film crew conducted interviews

It certainly didn’t escape many people’s notice that a film crew was on the Steinmühle grounds conducting interviews with certain guests. This took place, among other locations, at the boathouse—the hub of rowing at Steinmühle—where young people, ranging from para-rowers to Olympians, are invited to get into a boat under the guidance of coach Martin Strohmenger and his assistants.

Anti-Catcalling: Taking Action Against Sexual Harassment

To mark the nationwide Anti-Catcalling Action Day on June 13, Steinmühle, together with the Municipal Office for Women and Gender Equality of the Marburg-Biedenkopf district, took a stand against sexual harassment in public spaces.
To mark the occasion, an information table was set up in front of the cafeteria during the long breaks on the morning of June 11, featuring informational materials, stickers, and postcards. The district’s Women’s and Equality Officer was available to talk with students, teachers, and parents about catcalling and existing support and counseling services in the district. Girls and young women were also able to use chalk in the schoolyard to write down catcalling remarks they had already been confronted with—under the hashtag #keinkompliment.

 

Behavioral Tips

Dr. Sigrun Galter and Lisa Braun, teachers at Steinmühlen, reported that a brief presentation of the project was also given in various classes and courses, during which students were informed about the topic and had the opportunity to ask questions.

There was also an opportunity to share personal experiences and get advice on how girls and boys should respond to catcalling. The importance of supporting those affected by catcalling in the heat of the moment was emphasized. In addition, there was a discussion about how to phrase compliments in a way that is well-received.

Tips on how to recognize and deal with catcalling can also be found on the informational poster below.

 

An Unforgettable Week in Spain: Our Student Exchange in Vila-Real

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From May 19 to 26, we had the special opportunity to take part in a student exchange with the Santa Maria School in Vila-Real—supported by ERASMUS. One thing we can say right away: This week was full of exciting experiences, new friendships, and unforgettable memories!

On the trip there, you could really feel the excitement and, above all, the anticipation. When we arrived at the school, we were warmly welcomed and taken in by our exchange partners and their families. We quickly settled into the daily life of a Spanish family. Whether in class, on group outings, or at dinner with the family—we gathered so many new experiences that will stay with us for a long time to come.

 

An Introduction to Spanish Culture

Everyday school life in Vila-Real was an exciting experience. But what we enjoyed most were the group activities: a trip to the beach, an exciting day in Valencia, and, of course, the visit to the stadium of the famous soccer club Villarreal CF. These experiences not only gave us a deeper understanding of Spanish culture but also provided many opportunities to make new friends—friendships that will surely last well beyond the exchange program.

 

Gained valuable life experience as well

Even on days without an official program, our exchange partners were actively involved: They organized outings, introduced us to their friends, and made us feel truly welcome. Not only did we see and learn a lot, but we also felt completely at ease. For us, the exchange—accompanied by our teachers Mar Montenegro and Nicole Hohm—was an unforgettable experience. We learned to be more independent, to approach others with greater openness, to express ourselves in a foreign language, and to get to know new cultures and people.

In the end, it was very hard for all of us to say goodbye, but we know that we didn’t just improve our Spanish—we also gained experiences that will last a lifetime. And who knows—maybe we’ll see each other again soon!

By Lilly and Hannah, 9th grade

Café Mühle: A Place Where Community Comes Together

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The young people at Steinmühle Boarding School continue to put their hearts and hands into refining the concept for the new “Café Mühle” at the school’s tennis facility. “We want to tailor it as best as possible to our needs,” explain Lennard and Helene, the two main organizers behind the café. The renovated and redesigned gathering spot plays a major role for the students themselves during boarding school weekends. Hot and cold drinks, smoothies, and pastries invite students to gather and socialize. The Pen and Paper Club meets there regularly, reports boarding school counselor Marlon Welsch. Other group activities also take place there.

 

Encounters and Exchange

In the medium term, the goal will be to adjust the café’s hours and offerings to align with the operations at the adjacent tennis facility, so that active athletes can also stop by Café Mühle from time to time. “Above all, the café is meant to be a place where people can meet and build a sense of community,” adds Philipp Dönges, assistant head of the boarding school.

“Café Mühle” is a project run by the Inno-Club of the same name at Steinmühle Boarding School. The Inno-Clubs focus on various topics, such as event planning, the boarding school council, decoration and design, and content creation for social media.

 

Shaping and Expanding Your Own World

Philipp Dönges: “The Inno-Clubs are primarily intended as spaces for participation. Young people should have the opportunity to independently and collaboratively help shape, change, and expand their living environment—in line with their individual abilities and interests, and with the goal of identifying new skills and interests.”

 

The 5th-grade musical was full of energy, taking the audience on a journey through time into the world of film music

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“This just never ends,” the audience thought at the start of the 5th-grade musical, as more and more students from our youngest high school grade gradually stormed the stage of the Forum. The event, under the overall direction of Ulrike Wilmsmeyer, was staged this year as a “Small vs. Big” quiz duel, and the action was extremely dynamic, featuring acrobatics, roller skates, and more. One hit after another rang out, transporting the audience in front of the screen back a few years into the past: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” “Barbara Ann,” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Stayin’ Alive,” and other songs took us on this journey back to the old, most popular screen classics. Combined with quiz questions—including some directed at Principal Björn Gemmer—the whole event unfolded in a humorous and entertaining way, and there wasn’t a single minute when the audience wasn’t thoroughly entertained. No wonder the large audience, which had filled every seat in the Steinmühlenforum, enthusiastically demanded an encore.

 

Commitment and Passion

There were many people involved who made the evening what it ultimately became on stage. The students showed great dedication, as did the teachers, who poured their energy and passion into creating an unforgettable experience for parents, family members, and anyone else interested in attending.

Performers included: Choir of classes 5a, b, c, i (conducted by Daniel Sans and Anna Prokop), musical band: Guitars: Constantin Franz (Grade 13), Bent Deidl; Bass: Lika Schnabel; Flutes: Sascha Trofimov (Grade 12), Juliane Spies (Grade 13); Saxophone: Justus Mahnken (Grade 13); Euphonium: Juliana Stry (Grade 12); Piano: Philian Merle, Drums: Lino Nordwald (Directed by Frank Wemme), Acting: Classes 5c and 5a, Non-Wind Instrument Players (Directed by Anna Prokop & Ulrike Wilmsmeyer), Sports/Dance/Waveboard: 5a (Marcel Kalb), 5b (Christian Finance), 5c (Benedikt Hohmann), Sound & Light Team (Hannah Harbrecht, Lotta Steinfeldt, Lilly Müller, Eva Riegelsberger, Zuri Shocair—all 9th grade, directed by Matthäus Otte), Posters: Classes 5i and 5c under the guidance of Heike Rabben-Martin, Catering: 12th-grade students, Organization: Junia Molzberger and Emilia Sperl.

General Director Ulrike Wilmsmeyer paid special tribute to the dedication of Kira Gräser, who has been supporting the Steinmühle for 10 years now—not only with the “5er Musical” but also with other events—wearing a mask and costume.

We hope you enjoy browsing through our photo gallery below, and we’d also like to draw your attention to the two drawings in which fifth-graders Juna Bamberger (Class 5a) and Lina Hammer (5c) captured the rehearsals for the musical and the performance itself, respectively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Youth Tests”: Second Place for Leonard and Nicolas Out of Well Over 1,000 Projects

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With scientific precision, homemade testing equipment, and surprising findings, young researchers impressed the expert jury at Stiftung Warentest’s renowned “Jugend testet” competition. Among a total of 1,103 submitted tests involving more than 3,700 participants —a new record—Steinmühlen students Leonard Berger and Nicolas Bohnstedt secured an outstanding second place in the 10th–13th grade category with their research on sustainable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastic wrap! Together with their advisor, Dr. Jutta Töhl-Borsdorf, they traveled to Berlin for the awards ceremony.

 

In-house production of biofilms

Leonard and Nicolas tested 20 different types of plastic wrap and produced their own biodegradable wraps. Their conclusion: While conventional wraps have good performance characteristics, they harm the environment—and some “eco-products” turn out to be nothing more than greenwashing.

 

A six-member panel of experts

Steinmühle congratulates the team on their outstanding ranking, which was determined by a six-member jury of experts from the fields of science and journalism.

 

2,000 euros in prize money

The award came with a cash prize of 2,000 euros. In addition, there was a very appealing supporting program; “the foundation really went out of its way,” reports Dr. Jutta Töhl-Borsdorf.
For example, attendees were invited to see the musical *Romeo & Juliet* at the Theater des Westens and to participate in a city scavenger hunt in Kreuzberg.

The awards ceremony, featuring a magician and very heartfelt laudatory speeches, is also fondly remembered: “A wonderful experience for everyone involved.”

DELF Exams Successfully Passed

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Once again this year, several students can celebrate earning their DELF diploma.
Nine students took the exam this year for this European-recognized language certificate, which certifies proficiency in reading and listening comprehension, as well as speaking and writing in French, according to the respective grade level.

 

Learned with motivation and a sense of personal responsibility

With a few practice sessions outside of class, along with great motivation and personal responsibility, the students in grades 9 (A2), 11 (B1), and 13 (B2) all passed and achieved very good results. The oral exam took place in Gießen, and the written exam was held at Steinmühle, both on Saturday mornings.

We are delighted by this extracurricular involvement and would like to congratulate the participants (from left to right): Parsa Vahhabzadeh (left), Felice Gurschi (3rd from left), Lotta Steinfeldt (4th from left), and Anna-Lisa Wilhelm (5th from left); on the right in the photo is subject teacher Kristina Sokoli.

Congratulations!

 

Become a Digital Media Expert

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This school year, we had the opportunity to experience the “Digital Heroes” elective course in 10th grade for the first time—an innovative project that was very well received by everyone involved. The goal was to train 10th-grade students to become digital media experts who would then pass on their knowledge to younger students using a peer-to-peer approach.

 

Staying Safe and Responsible Online

Under the guidance of Tim Elmshäuser, participants explored important topics related to the digital world in various workshops. The focus was on topics such as class chats, cyberbullying, and cybergrooming. The workshops for the younger grades were designed to be engaging and offered not only theoretical knowledge but also practical tips on how to navigate the internet safely and responsibly.

 

Contribution to the School Community’s Digital Literacy

The success of this first round has shown just how valuable it is to raise awareness among young people about the safe use of digital media and to turn them into advocates. The “Digital Heroes” have not only expanded their own knowledge but have also made an important contribution to the digital literacy of our school community. We look forward to continuing this project in the coming years!

 

Lots of fun, high motivation, and great success at the 7th-grade rowing event

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Is the triathlon really that much fun? You bet! Everyone could see for themselves at the sports day at the Steinmühle boathouse. Because rowing is the athletic focus for 7th grade, the four classes—7a, 7b, 7c, and 7i—once again organized the Steinmühle rowing event this year.

As reported by sports and rowing instructor Michael Neirich, the students competed in a triathlon—consisting of the following disciplines—in a very positive atmosphere and with great athletic dedication:
– “200-meter Rowing Ergometer Challenge”
– “Monte Carlo” rowing rally in a four-person gig (three gig boats per class row a total time over a distance of 500m)
– “Individual run around the boathouse” (Each class entered five runners. They ran the “
” spring running circuit—approx. 1,200m)

Thanks to an outstanding performance in ergometer rowing, Class 7c ultimately celebrated the overall victory in the class standings with a 1.8-second lead in the overall average time.

Many thanks to the team that helped make this day a success.

 
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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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