STEM: When the brain tingles ...

Waldorf schools respond to the natural urge to explore with so-called phenomenological teaching in the natural sciences. This means that the students first have a sensory experience. They create a water whirl, observe how sand trickles onto a surface, make elephant toothpaste or build a pulley block. The next step involves explanation, abstraction and understanding.

We dedicate this issue of Erziehungskunst to the subjects of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology (STEM). They often receive less attention in Waldorf schools than the artistic and creative subjects. Because Waldorf education also promotes emotional, social and practical skills and STEM subjects are only introduced in the higher grades, students have fewer lessons in science subjects than at state schools. However, this does not necessarily mean that Waldorf schools do not produce talented young scientists. The lack of pressure to perform and the education to think for oneself also create freedom for the technical subjects, which many young people at our schools use with passion. Thomas Südhof is a famous example. He graduated from the Waldorf School in Göttingen and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine almost forty years later.

In her article, Ann-Katrin Neundorf looks closely at the question of whether Waldorf schools are the right place for children with a talent for science. Anne Brockmann spoke to chemistry teacher Ivana Chudobová. She would like more time for her lessons so that she can give as much space to the analytical part as to the phenomenological part. Heidi Käfer spoke to physicist Dr. Matthias Rang, Head of the Natural Science Section at the Goetheanum in Dornach, about his work. Waldorf teacher Stephanie Sell has written a text about experimental learning.

Other great stories and articles in this issue: Katrin Kühne explains how respect, tolerance and debating are practiced at the Soest Waldorf School. Reflections on the morning verse by Waldorf teacher Uta Stolz. The Waldorf School on the Alb in Engstingen offers a one-year work placement from the tenth grade. Jürgen Beckmerhagen spoke about this with the internship supervisor as well as with students and company owners.

I hope you enjoy reading and that some of your curiosity is satisfied!