Wacker Chemie AG : WACKER Supports School for Sick Childen with High-Tech Blackboard

When a child gets sick, an important issue is the school they miss until they are recovered enough to return. If a child has to stay in the hospital for a number of weeks, or even months, keeping up with classwork is a problem. The "Schule für Kranke München" [school for sick pupils] provides a solution - offering teaching in the hospital, either in small groups or in the form of individual bedside classes.

Teaching at Munich's Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital has now been enhanced through the introduction of modern large-format touchscreen computers to substitute for blackboards. Wheeled stands make the computers mobile and also ensure ergonomic use by wheelchair users. Internet access means that the students can keep up with the material being taught at all the different types of subjects and schools. "Using the touchscreens is as easy as using an iPad, and the children really enjoy it," sums up Bernhard Ruppert, who teaches at the Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital as its vice principal. The equipment also allows instruction via video conference, which students can link up to either from the various hospitals or from home.

"This technology makes us a pioneer and pacesetter in southern Germany for other schools," explains Alto Merkt, who is taking over as manager of the Munich school for sick pupils in February 2012. "This will help us to tailor lessons to the needs of the individual students, any restrictions due to their illness, and the demands of the schools they come from." The "Förderverein Schule für Kranke München e.V." initiative supports advanced training of teachers in the use of modern devices.

Professor Christoph Klein, director of the children's clinic and the children's polyclinic at the Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital also welcomes the investment. "Modern computer technology helps our young patients to keep up with their studies and reintegrate into their schools at home." Classes at the hospital also distract the kids from their illness and thus aid the healing process.

"We are glad that our donation is contributing to giving sick children prospects through the use of modern technology in their classes," explains Auguste Willems, Wacker Chemie AG Executive Board member, who handed over the check to the hospital director and the school principals today. "We place particular emphasis on sponsoring educational programs for children and young people. WACKER itself has entered into a whole range of long-term partnerships that give children and young people opportunities," says Willems. "both internationally and in Bavaria, such as in Munich where our headquarters are located."

Wacker Chemie AG (www.wacker.com) has formed a number of partnerships aimed at giving children and young people prospects. Schooling is a major focus of these activities, e.g. in the form of the "Bavarian Educational Pact" and the regional "Young Scientists" competition. WACKER has provided support to "Die Arche" (the ark) children's charity in the Munich Moosach district for over five years. The company also supports the "Science Lab" educational initiative in the Ramersdorf/Neuperlach district of Munich which it set up to make the world of natural science accessible to children.

WACKER's relief fund (WACKER HILFSFONDS), which provides aid after natural disasters, supported projects in China, Haiti, Pakistan and Sri Lanka in 2009 and 2010. The fund focuses especially on the reconstruction and operation of schools. Read more about WACKER's social commitment at: www.wacker.com/sustainability.