Calliope at STEGO: Programming made easy
What happens when technology meets curiosity? During an interactive workshop, sixth-grade students from the Evangelisches Schulzentrum Michelbach discovered just how exciting programming can be – and how easy the first steps into the digital world really are. Their visit to STEGO was more than just a school outing: it marked the beginning of a new educational partnership that demonstrates how businesses and schools can work together to take responsibility for the next generation.
introduction to the world of programming
How do you program a digital thermometer? And what is actually behind the flashing LEDs of a microcontroller? On May 8, 2025, Year 6 pupils from the secondary school at the Evangelisches Schulzentrum Michelbach explored these questions during an interactive technology afternoon at STEGO in Schwäbisch Hall.
when technology is fun
The children enthusiastically programmed their first own applications on the Calliope mini - a microcontroller specially developed for school lessons. Flashing LEDs, reading temperature data, writing small calculation programs: Within a few hours, curious pupils were transformed into little programmers.
"It's fascinating to see how quickly our pupils gain access to digital contexts when they are allowed to create something themselves," says Oliver Reif, teacher at the Evangelisches Schulzentrum Michelbach. "The Calliope is a great tool - simple, motivating and close to the lives of our young people. For many of them, it was their first step into a new world."
Start of an educational partnership
The workshop was not just an impulse - it was the start of more. A permanent educational partnership between the Evangelisches Schulzentrum Michelbach and STEGO is planned from fall 2025. New projects are already in preparation. The aim is to bring young people closer to digital topics - through practical offers, without any fear of contact.
Promoting young talent
"As a company with regional roots, we see it as our social responsibility to get young people interested in technology," explains Elmar Mangold, Managing Director of STEGO Group. "We not only want to impart knowledge, but also boost self-confidence. When children realize that they can actively shape digital technology, completely new perspectives open up."
What's special: The design and implementation of the workshop was in the hands of our own trainees. This resulted in genuine peer-to-peer teaching - at eye level, practical and authentic.
education and sustainability
The future partnership is embedded in STEGO's ESG commitment - with a particular focus on social responsibility. For us, sustainable development begins with education and the promotion of young talent.
Further joint projects with the school - for example in the environmental sector - are already being planned.
Heating
Cooling
Regulating
Lighting
