April 7, 2025

Opening up spaces. Connecting people. Making education visible.

We have opened the doors – to our premises, to our ideas and, above all, to real encounters. On April 30, the first Open House at the Education Lab. A day full of exchange, perspectives and bold questions: What does education need in Vienna? What solutions already exist? And how can we make them widespread?

Educators, educational initiatives, children, founders and interested parties were there – some for the first time, others have been part of the community for a long time. What unites them: The desire to shape education together.

Breakfast with impulses.

It all started with the Founders Breakfast. Michael Maurer, founder of eSquirrelwas our guest and shared his experiences – honestly, practically and with plenty of room for questions. Instead of PowerPoint and a podium, there were croissants, discussions at eye level and an open exchange about digital education, entrepreneurship in the education sector and what it takes to stick with it in the long term and move from idea to implementation.

Many participants took the opportunity to contribute their own thoughts – on challenges in everyday school life, on opportunities presented by digital tools, but also on the question of how to integrate new ideas into existing systems in the first place.

Co-creation to join in.

The co-creation sessions, which took place throughout the day, were a particular highlight. Instead of frontal lectures, the focus here was on joint thinking and brainstorming: How can the Education Lab support educational innovation coming to kindergartens and schools in Vienna? What challenges do educators face and what solutions may already exist?

Perspectives were collected in small groups, impulses given, questions formulated. It was deliberately open, without a fixed goal – because that was exactly the point: to create a space in which ideas and thoughts can emerge without having to be finished immediately.

Children on stage – and at the center.

A moment that many will remember: The children of Lerngemeinschaft 15 took to the stage – and contributed their view of education with their session Discovering superpowers. With impressive clarity and a question that lingered in the room: “How do I find my superpower?”

What was planned as a short program item turned out to be one of the most moving highlights of the day. The children talked about their own superpowers – from the courage to speak up to the ability to make others laugh – and then directly challenged the audience: “And what is yours?”

A special moment. Because it wasn’t experts who were on stage – but the very people who are actually involved. And they impressively demonstrated that they know exactly what is important.

Effect that continues.

Things became more concrete in the session Reinforcing impact:
Innovative educational initiatives from Vienna presented their work – with topics such as mental health, global learning, school development, STEAM and participation. The focus was on new learning formats, emotional education, digital tools and how we can work together to anchor long-term impact.

What became noticeable: The educational landscape is full of committed people who don’t wait for perfect conditions – they just get started.

Impulses that remain.

The event concluded with a keynote speech by Dr. Julia Holzer:

“Come to make an impact – Positive education anchoring it sustainably.”

With great clarity and depth, she spoke about attitude, relationship work and the importance of emotional education – not as a nice add-on, but as the basis for any successful learning relationship.

And now?

The Open House was a prelude – and an invitation: To all those who want to play an active role in shaping education.

Whether you are looking for space, exchange, inspiration or simply a place where your questions are welcome – the Education Lab is the right place for you.

Because education does not succeed on its own. It needs places. People. And the willingness to think things through together.

Become a member right now and join the Education Lab community!