Once a month, Science City Itzling becomes a testing ground for curious young minds during MINTwoch, when Salzburg schoolchildren immerse themselves in the world of mathematics, computer science, the natural sciences, and technology. On 4 February 2026, MINT:labs Science City Itzling celebrated a special anniversary—the 50th MINTwoch.

MINT:labs is a joint initiative between Paris Lodron University of Salzburg and Salzburg Research Forschungsgesellschaft mbH. Children and young people in school years 5 to 10 are the primary target audience. Its goal is to make science and technology tangible in a practical way, sparking interest and providing guidance for educational and career paths. Thanks to funding from the City of Salzburg and the State of Salzburg, school classes have been able to participate free of charge since the beginning.

Experience, understand, and reflect on science

In an era where scientific findings are being increasingly questioned and there is a shortage of skilled workers in technical fields, the importance of early, understandable science education is growing. This is where MINT:labs steps in, offering workshops that engage young people by demonstrating how research is conducted through experimentation, observation, measurement, and discussion.

With the motto “MI(N)Tdenken, MI(N)Tmachen und MI(N)Tdiskutieren,” these programs complement school lessons and promote skills that go beyond mere factual knowledge. Participants learn to classify information and draw conclusions based on understandable criteria.

Photos: © Simon P. Haigermoser

From pilot idea to established workshop series

Launched as a pilot project by the City of Salzburg in 2019, MINT:labs Science City Itzling has so far reached over 5,200 students from the City of Salzburg and the surrounding province, and beyond. Even during the pandemic, the workshops were successfully transferred to the digital space. MINTwoch takes place monthly during school hours, with individual sessions usually lasting 75 minutes.

Anniversary program: A variety of workshops

On February 4, 2026, the 50th MINT workshop offered participants a wide range of workshops. In mathematics, topics included simple cryptology methods, statistical methods for estimating animal populations, and critical handling of numbers and data. In computer science, the focus was on 3D printing and an introduction to programming with tools such as the Micro:bit. Other workshops covered bone analysis, digital solutions for reducing food waste, and how to use digital channels safely and confidently—important skills for school, everyday life, and future careers.

Further details can be found on the MINT:labs website: www.mintlabs.at