Students invent garden robots: The future of cultivation in Grimmen!

Students invent garden robots: The future of cultivation in Grimmen!

A breath of fresh air is blowing through the educational landscape of Western Pomerania-Rügen in the form of innovative projects and exciting developments. At Grimmen High School, students have developed an app-controlled garden robot that fully automatically measures soil moisture and can sow and pull weeds independently. As the Baltic Sea newspaper reported, this happened as part of the “BioBot” school group in collaboration with IT experts from the Stralsund MakerPort. The project, based on a concept from a Californian start-up, will be completed by the end of the school year, with the young people and teachers wanting their own robot.

The BioBot had its premiere on July 17, 2025 at the “Green Farm” in Stralsund. This is an intelligent gardening robot that not only removes weeds and waters itself, but also monitors the plants in the bed. Students in grades 7 to 9 not only practiced technical skills, but also thought creatively and solved problems. Promoting teamwork and problem-solving skills is very important in today's educational landscape, as emphasized by the UNESCO World Education Report 2023, which highlights the importance of technological developments in the education sector. In this context, the need for firm rules for the use of technologies, including artificial intelligence, to ensure equitable training for learners is addressed said the German UNESCO Commission.

Insights into the local economy

In addition to the educational innovations, another aspect is causing a lot of discussion in Western Pomerania-Rügen: The CDU has put forward the proposal to transfer responsibility for the job center from the region to the Federal Employment Agency. The reason? Structural challenges in the market, stagnating integration rates and rising administrative costs. It is interesting that Vorpommern-Rügen is the only district that still runs its own job center. One advantage that supporters of the handover see would be the possibility of using an online user account for applications and appointments, which would significantly simplify the process reports the Ostsee-Zeitung.

The region's treasures can be discovered not only in technology and administration, but also in the field of creative professions. An example of this is the talented Kristina Kujehl, who switched from a career as a police officer to a sought-after tattoo artist. Her career shows how artistic precision can be combined with entrepreneurial clarity. Kristina masters her everyday life between the studio, family and further training with flying colors and has made a name for herself far beyond the sound boundaries of her homeland. Their discipline and attention to detail are qualities that make a real difference in the market.

Celebrations and challenges

Recent celebrations, such as the “Day by the Sea” in Prora, reflect the relaxed atmosphere of the region. Hundreds of festival visitors didn't miss the good atmosphere and the music, even if the prices increased slightly. The festival will become a permanent fixture in the event calendar, and a new edition is already being planned for 2026, although the exact date has not yet been set. Such events contribute to the attractiveness of the region and promote the coming together of generations reports the Ostsee-Zeitung.

But not everything goes smoothly. On June 18th, there was a traffic accident between a car and a coach on the B196 near Bergen auf Rügen, in which four tenth graders from Brandenburg were slightly injured. Passers-by expressed incomprehension about the situation and called for a roundabout to ensure safety at this intersection reports the Ostsee-Zeitung.

Conclusion? A lot is happening in Vorpommern-Rügen. From innovative educational projects to economic changes to cultural events, the region is increasingly becoming a place that offers both challenges and opportunities.