Company News Aug 20, 2004 2:00 AM
"Discovering future technology" with ThyssenKrupp
Experience technology in the Ideas Park at AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen
From September 2 - 4, the area surrounding the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen will be transformed into an Ideas Park for technology. Under the motto "discovering future technology", the Ideas Park offers a diverse program with numerous technical exhibits, well-known stage guests and activities to join in with. Children, young people and adults can experience technology at first hand, find out about apprenticeship and study opportunities and follow fascinating discussions and presentations. The Ideas Park is a central event of the 2004 Year of Technology and is organized by ThyssenKrupp and other partners such as the Initiativkreis Ruhrgebiet (Ruhr area initiative group), several technical universities and ZDF children`s television. Entry is free.
"Germany`s future as a technology location can only be secured in the long-term through innovations. For this, we need a positive attitude toward technology across all levels of society. We have to realize that innovations offer the best opportunities for the professional future of young people", says Prof. Dr. Ekkehard D. Schulz, Chairman of the Executive Board of ThyssenKrupp AG.
Covering a total area of 17,500 m², equivalent to three soccer pitches, the Ideas Park provides varied insights into the world of technology, focusing on four main areas. "Understanding future technology" shows how an idea becomes an innovation. The main drivers of innovation - self-initiative, education, networking, configuration of framework conditions - will be presented using fun installations and demonstrate how an innovative company works.
The motto of the main part of the Ideas Park is "discovering future technology". At 21 different exhibits, visitors can experience how innovations are realized and meet the people "behind the technology" - scientists, engineers, users. The subjects range from automotive construction to nanotechnology, from solar energy to space travel. Young visitors in particular are invited to get involved with advanced technology in a fun way through numerous activities they can join in with. Example, space travel: In addition to original exhibits such as an Ariane rocket engine, the German Aerospace Center in Cologne will be presenting a daily space show with experiments, quiz questions and the opportunity to try astronauts` food.
Example, sport: Bobsleigh world champion Susi Erdmann and materials expert Klaus Nowak will introduce visitors to the secrets of the runner and chassis technology of a world championship bobsleigh. Visitors can measure their own personal time on a bobsleigh push start track or grind runners with Susi Erdmann. Example, Arena AufSchalke: Visitors can not only find out about the sliding roof and other technical highlights of the Arena, but also play against professionals from the FC Schalke 04 soccer team, with live commentary by German TV reporter Manni Breuckmann.
A wide-ranging program of stage events will present current issues in the form of talks, podium discussions and presentations, moderated by well-known journalists such as Günter Jauch, Heiner Bremer or Ranga Yogeshwar. Among those participating in the program on the adults` stage are high-ranking scientists (including Hartmut Michel, Nobel Prize winner for chemistry in 1988), representatives from the world of business (including Joachim Milberg, BMW Supervisory Board Chairman) and politicians (including Peer Steinbrück and Harald Schartau). The stage for young people will focus on technology and education. Professors from Bochum and Dresden will hold interesting lectures as part of the "School Students` University". Former winners of the "Jugend forscht" youth science initiative will talk about what they have gone on to do and numerous students and professors, apprentices and trainers, pupils and teachers will report on their first-hand experiences with "future technology".
Under the motto "supporting future technology", numerous partners will be presenting their activities in the last area of the Ideas Park. The technical universities of Aachen, Berlin, Bochum, Dortmund, Dresden and Hamburg will be there with many fascinating research projects. The Initiativkreis Ruhrgebiet will offer advice on setting up companies and, together with the German Museum in Bonn, will present the findings of Nobel Prize-winning research projects, outstanding achievements in medicine in the Ruhr area, the latest insights into nanotechnology and a learning area with a scanning tunnel microscope showing how the "lotus effect" works. All those seeking advice about apprenticeship places will find contacts and an apprenticeship exchange in the North Rhine-Westphalian Chamber of Commerce and Industry bus in the outdoor area and advice from the ThyssenKrupp Training Center.
The Ideas Park offers children and young people a number of opportunities to discover the world of technology. Most exhibits provide games for young visitors. ZDF childrens` TV will be there with lots of attractions, including the "1, 2 or 3" stage with presenter Gregor Steinbrenner, the caravan from the "Löwenzahn" TV program and technical experiments and childrens` TV studios.
The latest information about the Ideas Park program and many service tips can be found on the internet at www.zukunft-technik-entdecken.de . A telephone hotline also provides information on 01802 868 868 (6 cents per call).
The 2004 Year of Technology is organized by the German Ministry of Education and Research, the "Wissenschaft im Dialog" initiative, plus 80 technical and scientific associations represented by the umbrella organization "Deutscher Verband Technisch-Wissenschaftlicher Vereine". More than 2,000 events are being staged throughout Germany to show how exciting everyday technology can be and provide an insight into complex technologies. Other major events are being held in Stuttgart, Darmstadt, Munich and Duisburg. For more information, go to www.jahr-der-technik.de .
Contact:
Dr. Jürgen Claassen
Corporate Communications, Strategy, and Executive Affairs
Phone +49 (211) 824-36001
Fax +49 (211) 824-36005
E-mail: press@thyssenkrupp.com
www.thyssenkrupp.com