Programming robots and solving various tasks with them, trying out drones and virtual reality goggles, experimenting with artificial intelligence and learning about its practical applications for households, producing self-designed objects from plastic, wood or even chocolate using 3D printing: all this and much more is possible at the Miba FutureLabs, which opened today in Laakirchen. They are a hands-on workshop where you can try out digital technologies. And they show how widely these technologies are and will be used in everyday private and professional life. "With the Miba FutureLabs, we want to generate enthusiasm for technology, especially among young people. We want to give them the opportunity to get to grips with its opportunities and challenges in an intensive and practical way. We want them to gain experience and knowledge here so that they can actively shape the future," says Miba CEO F. Peter Mitterbauer, describing the idea behind the new experience workshop. It is financed entirely by Miba and operated jointly with “Otelo - Offenes Technologielabor”.
Dates already fully booked until the end of the school year -
More than 1,000 pupils can take advantage of the offer each year
The Miba FutureLabs are intended to be a place of inspiration and learning. The offer is therefore aimed primarily at children and young people. A 3-hour program is offered for school classes, for which Miba covers the costs and which is adapted to the age and prior knowledge of the participants. More than 1,000 schoolchildren can take advantage of the program each year. The level of interest is demonstrated by the fact that all dates are fully booked by the end of the school year. The Miba FutureLabs will also be open to selected groups during the summer vacations and offer workshops as part of the KinderUni, for example.
Seven labs on offer - expansion already being planned
The Miba FutureLabs are located in the center of Laakirchen (Gmundner Straße 10, 4663 Laakirchen). They currently comprise seven labs, i.e. experience stations. But the plan does not stop there: the range is soon to be expanded with new labs that show how technology can contribute to sustainable, clean energy. “We want to bring another important future topic to life in the Miba FutureLabs,” explains Miba CEO F. Peter Mitterbauer.
Miba CEO F. Peter Mitterbauer: “Education is the key to professional and career opportunities, and we see promoting it as part of our social responsibility.”
In addition to the Miba FutureLabs, the Laakirchen-based technology group is involved in many other initiatives for education and technology. For example, the MINTality Foundation for the promotion of girls and women in technical professions was founded on the initiative of Therese Niss, Managing Director of Mitterbauer Beteiligungs-GmbH. Miba is also involved in “Teach for Austria”, a program to support students in schools with difficult social environments. Miba also supports the “Start” program for particularly talented young people with a migration background and the Red Cross reading coach program to support children with reading difficulties. "We see it as part of our social responsibility to promote professional and career opportunities for young people. Education is the key to this," says F. Peter Mitterbauer.
Further information can be found on the Internet at https://go.miba.com/futurelabs, where appointments can also be made for school classes to visit the Miba FutureLabs.
