Free of charge, open and accessible to everyone – at the new TUMO + MINT Zentrum Hannover (Hannover TUMO + STEM Centre, working title), teenagers can acquire digital skills to equip them for the future. Starting in spring 2027, it will be possible to try out programming and design and to build robots – right in the middle of the city. The goal: to inspire young people to pursue technical and scientific careers and, in doing so, strengthen the future pool of skilled workers. The city, the business sector and the universities are working together to bring the globally successful TUMO teaching concept to Hannover. A central hub for learning and meeting up will be located in the banking district “An der Börse 7”, alongside established STEM programmes from Hannover’s universities. The special feature: all the programmes will be offered free of charge. This will benefit not only up to 10,000 young people annually, but also the regional economy and Hannover’s position as an education and science hub.
One building, many possibilities
The TUMO programme is named after the Armenian writer Hovhannes Tumanyan and is intended for teens aged 12 to 18. Participants design their own personal learning journey – two times a week, for two hours, assisted by trained staff and supported by cutting-edge technology. They can choose from 10 subject areas, including programming, robotics, 3D modelling, animation, graphic design and music production. A combination of independent study, workshops and learning labs allows for individual learning with a practical focus.
In addition to TUMO, several of Hannover’s higher education institutions are contributing to designing the learning centre: Leibniz University Hannover (LUH) will supplement the programme with day-long teaching formats in which pupils benefit directly from cutting-edge research – for example, in the Clusters of Excellence or the PROTYS and foeXlab labs. “As a university, we are already creating a learning ecosystem through the Clusters of Excellence, the faculties and the Leibniz School of Education in which we enable and promote participation in the scientific sphere through high-quality educational programmes outside the classroom. The TUMO + STEM centre will complement and expand the large selection of programmes that are part of the tiered system in Leibniz4U, our research centre for school pupils,” said Prof. Dr. Julia Gillen, vice president for education at LUH.
The Hochschule Hannover – University of Applied Sciences and Arts will expand its workshops for all age groups and school forms via its STEM House of the Future. The Hannover Medical School (MHH) will also contribute at a later stage of the project and add to the programmes offered. The KfW development bank is accompanying the establishment of the TUMO + STEM centre. It is supporting Hannover based on its experience with existing TUMO programmes in Germany. The programme is intended particularly for children from working class, immigrant or educationally disadvantaged families. Another particular focus is supporting girls and young women in STEM professions.
Schedule and financing
Building work will begin in 2026, and the opening is planned for spring 2027. The annual cost of 1.8 million has already been covered for most of the first three years, with the GETEC Foundation taking on a significant share as the anchor investor. Additional partners and sponsors are being sought for the long-term establishment of the centre. The TUMO+MINT Hannover funding society has been founded for this purpose, and the TUMO+MINT Hannover gGmbH will be founded soon. The initial shareholders will consist of the Lower Saxony Business Associations (UVN e. V.), the city of Hannover, the GETEC Foundation and the Hochschule Hannover – University of Applied Sciences and Arts, which will represent the state in the gGmbH. The project is also being supported by Leibniz University Hannover, KfW development bank, the Hannover Medical School (MHH), and numerous partners from the business and education sectors. Several state ministries in Lower Saxony have also signalled their support.
Additional information is available in the city of Hannover press release.
