The figures speak for themselves: Nine companies founded the “Knowledge Factory” platform (Wissensfabrik – Unternehmen für Deutschland e. V.) on January 26, 2005. Today, it comprises some 120 businesses and foundations, all working together for greater knowledge, greater skills and a greater future. Siemens Stiftung, established in 2008, immediately became a partner of the nonprofit organization and now supplies one of Wissensfabrik’s four board members: Barbara Filtzinger, Head of Siemens Stiftung’s Education working area.
Over the last ten years, Wissensfabrik has successfully realized numerous projects together with its partners. Students, new business founders and educational institutions from day care centers to elementary and secondary schools all benefit from its services, which prepare the young generation for the challenges of the information age. Its work has included partnering with academic institutions to develop practical teaching materials that help to improve young people’s understanding of science, technology and economics and also raise their interest in these topics.
Siemens Stiftung has concluded around 1,000 educational partnerships with elementary schools over the past years as part of Wissensfabrik. “Education is a key to the long-term viability of our society. That remains as true today as it was ten years ago. The success of Wissensfabrik gives us great encouragement to continue making a sustainable contribution to better education along with our partners,” says Barbara Filtzinger.
Since Wissensfabrik was founded, some 700,000 children and young people have participated in projects across Germany, honing their creativity, inventive talent and teamworking skills. 180 start-ups have been supported with valuable mentoring. University partners are involved in the organization’s work, ensuring that its content and didactic approach are always up to date.