Henkel to expand global STEM education initiative

Henkel is set to significantly expand its global STEM education initiative, Forscherwelt, with a double-digit million-euro investment planned by 2030.

The programme, which gives children hands-on experience of science, technology, engineering and maths, will see five new permanent learning locations established worldwide, including a new STEM centre at Henkel’s headquarters in Düsseldorf. Mobile learning concepts will also be introduced in six additional countries.

Founded in 2011, Forscherwelt has already reached more than 130,000 children across more than 20 countries through practical experiments and age-appropriate activities designed to encourage curiosity, problem-solving and scientific thinking. Henkel aims to extend the initiative to more than 30 countries by 2030.

The initiative launched in the UK in 2025 and has since reached more than 2,000 students through STEM activities delivered in schools. It is also set to expand into Ireland in January 2027.

The new Düsseldorf centre is expected to accommodate more than 10,000 children and young people each year, while the wider expansion is intended to make STEM education more accessible to children from a broader range of backgrounds.