The state government wants to prepare children and young people for the coming global challenges and is therefore planning the introduction of a new combined school subject, which is to deal with the topics of computer science, economics and ecology in an interdisciplinary manner under the name "Digital World".

Minister of Education Alexander Lorz, Minister of Digital Affairs Kristina Sinemus (both CDU) and the managing director of the Potsdam Hasso Plattner Institute, Christoph Meinel, presented a pilot project in Wiesbaden on Monday, which should start in the next school year.

"I am convinced that this is the key to our children's future," Lorz said, but added that his ministry and the schools are only "at the beginning".

Nevertheless, Hessen is a nationwide pioneer with this project.

In the fifth grade, more than 1,000 students at twelve secondary schools in Hesse will learn from autumn what opportunities digital applications offer them and how they can be used.

In two additional and voluntary lessons per week, the students should learn specifically how they can use digitization to develop ecologically or economically sensible applications.

As an example, Sinemus named the programming of a robotic lawnmower that shortens the lawn – but leaves the crocuses standing.

But it should also deal with topics such as data protection, cybercrime and media use.

The pilot project is scheduled to run for at least two years before it is evaluated.

The outcome of the pilot project will decide whether and how the new subject will be included in regular classes.

Infrastructure now available

"In order to take account of the global challenges in the school sector, we want to open a new chapter in the educational culture of the state of Hesse," said Lorz and added: "We want to encourage all schools to contribute their expertise and support to this trend-setting, demanding and enormously to lead an exciting project to success.” The combination of computer science, economics and ecology should make it clear that computer science and digitization are the basis for overcoming challenges such as climate change, species extinction or economic crises.

"We want a subject that is designed to be action-oriented, and we want to develop something that has not yet been brought together in this way," says Lorz.

According to Sinemus, the digital infrastructure required for the project is now available in Hessen's schools.

For them, the new subject is also a way to arouse enthusiasm for digitization among students in Hesse.

The Hasso Plattner Institute was involved in the conception of the new subject, whose managing director Meinel pointed out that it is not just about programming.

"At the university we suffer from the fact that we have too few female applicants for this subject." He expressed the hope that the new subject could inspire joy and boost self-confidence, especially among schoolgirls.

Around 70 classes at the twelve schools are taking part in the first phase of the project.

The lessons are not graded and are not relevant for promotion.

The Frankfurt Goethe University provides scientific support for the project.

The teachers at the pilot schools who teach the new subject are being trained.

According to Lorz, no additional teachers will be hired for this.

The participating schools include the Adorno-Gymnasium in Frankfurt, the Hohe Landesschule in Hanau, the Albert Einstein School in Schwalbach and the Solgrabenschule in Bad Nauheim.

The Freiherr-vom-Stein school in the Hünfelden district of Dauborn in the Limburg-Weilburg district is also involved.

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IHK praises the project

Its headteacher, Judith Lehnert, reminded them that the "digital world" is picking up on the students' future issues.

At the cooperative comprehensive school, three teachers will teach the new subject in six classes, and there are already initial ideas.

The school hens should be able to walk through their hen house with the help of a solar-powered flap, and when counting insects on the school's orchard it would be possible to program sensors so that only butterflies are recognized, reports Lehnert.

The Hessian Chamber of Industry and Commerce praised the pilot project, President Kirsten Schoder-Steinmüller described it as a "good approach".

She spoke out in favor of treating the topics mentioned across the board in all schools and expanding computer science classes.

“We need more young people who are interested in practical work.

Because they are the ones who advance digitization, climate neutrality and Industry 4.0.”

The FDP parliamentary group in the state parliament, on the other hand, expressed disappointment.

"The hope that computer science will finally be taught across the board and as a requirement has unfortunately been dashed," criticized Deputy Moritz Promny.

And the SPD parliamentary group described the “digital world” pilot project as a rush job.

Education policy spokeswoman Kerstin Geis called for a concept for media education in schools.

Hessen is neither a pioneer nor well positioned, but brings up the rear nationwide.