News

Villum Foundation supports science and technology education with DKK 30m

Villum Foundation has awarded DKK 30m to strengthen the framework for teaching the subject science and technology. As a result, primary school pupils in Years 1-6 across nine municipalities can now look forward to newly renovated specialist classrooms, updated equipment and teachers with enhanced knowledge of science and technology.

Date

18 August 2026

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Although the course Science and Technology is young pupils’ gateway to the natural sciences, both researchers and educators describe it as “a neglected subject”. Many schools lack appropriate facilities and equipment, and 48% of teachers do not have the subject-specific qualifications needed to teach the subject. This is highlighted in the 2025 report “Mapping science and technology education in Denmark.”

Villum Foundation is now addressing some of these challenges by awarding a total of DKK 30m to nine municipalities across Denmark. This is the second time the foundation has supported the subject with DKK 30m. Once again, the funding will be used to improve the physical environment for Science and Technology teaching and strengthen teachers’ competencies and professional communities.

Can make a difference in schools

Ole Laursen, Grant are Director at Villum Foundation, looks forward to seeing the funding make a difference in schools:

“Science and Technology is an important subject that lays the foundation for children’s scientific literacy and understanding of the world. It equips pupils with the knowledge and skills they need to understand, navigate, and find solutions in a complex world. Through this grant, we want to strengthen a subject that faces challenges in many places. The aim is to give teachers better opportunities to build strong professional environments around teaching and to strengthen pupils’ understanding of the relationship between nature, technology and society.”

Boost for specialist classrooms, equipment and teacher competencies

This time, the municipalities of Lolland, Rødovre, Aarhus, Brønderslev, Hvidovre, Jammerbugt, Sorø, Hjørring and Faxe have received grants from the foundation to strengthen the framework for Science and Technology teaching through a real-world, inquiry-based approach.

The funding will be used to establish or upgrade specialist classrooms, purchase new equipment and materials, develop outdoor learning environments, provide continuing professional development for teachers, and support professional learning communities.

Ole Laursen explains:

“What the projects have in common is that they include initiatives that can continue beyond the project period. When teachers strengthen their competencies and schools build strong professional environments, it benefits not only current pupils but also the many children who will encounter the subject in the years to come.”

Excited about the opportunities

In Sorø, the Science and Technology teaching will receive a boost at Frederiksberg School and Pedersborg School, where the aim is to make the subject more hands-on through new learning environments, improved materials and greater collaboration between teachers.

Britta Thomsen, headteacher at Frederiksberg School in Sorø, is delighted by the opportunities the grant provides:

“For many years, we have wanted to provide better conditions for Science andTtechnology because it truly is the school’s neglected subject. Today, our facilities resemble ordinary classrooms and do not reflect the inquiry-based, practical teaching that the subject actually requires. With this grant, we can both upgrade our specialist classrooms and develop teaching programmes that make full use of the new opportunities the facilities provide. It feels like winning the lottery.”

In total, almost 13,000 pupils and 300 science and technology teachers will benefit from the funding.

Fakta:

Villum Foundation is awarding a total of DKK 30m to nine municipalities: Lolland, Rødovre, Aarhus, Brønderslev, Hvidovre, Jammerbugt, Sorø, Hjørring and Faxe.

The grants are aimed at improving the physical framework for science and technology education, strengthening teacher competencies and developing subject-specific educational environments within the municipalities.

Almost 13,000 pupils and 300 science and technology teachers will benefit from the funding.

This is the second time Villum Foundation has awarded approximately DKK 30m to strengthen science and technology education.

Facts about Science and Technology:

Throughout its more than 30-year history in Danish primary and lower secondary schools, Science and Technology has faced persistent challenges relating to teacher competencies, the subject’s position within schools, continuing professional development and its overall status.

Nearly half of all Science and Technology lessons are taught by teachers without the necessary subject-specific competencies.

At many schools, teaching does not take place in specialist classrooms designed for science and technology education.

Source: Mapping science and technology education in Denmark, 2025.

Read the report here:

Brønderslev Municipality will strengthen Science and Technology teaching for pupils in Years 1-6 through mobile learning environments, professional development and subject-specific networks. The project addresses low levels of teacher subject competency and disparities in schools’ educational resources, with the aim of strengthening the link between theory and practice while supporting teachers’ subject knowledge and pedagogical skills.

The initiative includes the development and procurement of Science and Technology-themed mobile learning carts for all schools, professional development for teachers and resource staff, the establishment of local and municipal networks, and the development and testing of practice-oriented teaching programmes.

The target group comprises all pupils in Years 1-6, as well as 50 teachers and 12 resource staff members at the municipality’s primary and lower secondary schools. The project is being carried out in collaboration with UCN, Den Grønne Rygrad and Brønderslev Nature School.

A grant of DKK 4,886,113 has been awarded to the project, which runs from 2027 to 2030.

Rødovre Municipality will strengthen the Science and Technology subject at Nyager School through the establishment of a Science and Technology classroom, associated outdoor learning spaces and the development of a professional learning community. The project addresses challenges related to a lack of specialist facilities, limited opportunities for practical teaching and teachers without formal subject qualifications.

The initiative includes the design of learning environments, the purchase of equipment and materials, and professional development through workshops, subject meetings, co-teaching and network activities.

The target group is approximately 300 pupils in Years 1-6, as well as the school’s Science and Technology teachers and science coordinators. The project is being carried out in collaboration with, among others, Arkitema, CFU, Astra and TekX. The aim is to create better conditions for practical and inquiry-based teaching, strengthen the subject’s identity and ensure progression in teaching and learning.

The grant amounts to DKK 1,467,953, and the project runs from August 2026 to July 2028.

Hvidovre Municipality will strengthen Science and Technology teaching across seven schools through improved physical learning environments and professional development for teachers and science coordinators.

The project includes the establishment of three Science and Technology classrooms and resource collections, as well as the creation of professional learning communities, networks, action learning activities and co-teaching initiatives across the participating schools.

The target group comprises 2,583 pupils in Years 1-6, 38 Science and Technology teachers and six science coordinators. The project is being carried out by Hvidovre Municipality in collaboration with science coordinators at the participating schools, Naturcenter Quark, Newton Room, MatMobilen and Astra.

The aim is to create more practical, inquiry-based and real-world teaching while strengthening pupils’ opportunities to develop scientific competencies and technological understanding.

The grant amounts to DKK 4,914,568, and the project runs from June 2026 until the end of 2029.

Hjørring Municipality will develop Science and Technology teaching across four municipal schools and two independent schools through more practice-oriented, varied and engaging learning environments.

The project includes the establishment and modernisation of indoor and outdoor learning environments, professional development for teachers, and the creation of professional communities and networks.

The target group is pupils in Years 1-6 as well as the approximately 24 teachers who teach Science and Technology at the participating schools. The project is being carried out by Hjørring Municipality in collaboration with NAFA at UCN, Team Nature in Hjørring Municipality and the educational service at Nordsøen Oceanarium.

The aim is to improve the quality of Science and Technology teaching, increase pupils’ motivation for science and their capacity to act on scientific understanding, and create greater continuity in teaching. Experiences and teaching programmes will be shared through network meetings, documentation and evaluation across the schools to ensure long-term sustainability.

The grant amounts to DKK 1,880,652, and the project runs from 2026 to 2028.

Lolland Municipality will establish new Science and Technology facilities at Byskolen in Nakskov to create inquiry-based, engaging and practice-oriented teaching.

The project builds on the school’s experience with makerspaces, innovation and practical learning and aims to support a more experimental approach to teaching while creating continuity across science subjects from Year 0 to Year 9.

The initiative includes the establishment of Science and Technology facilities, refurbishment of learning spaces, procurement of equipment and furniture, development of a small outdoor learning environment and self-funded professional development for teachers.

The target group is 275 pupils in Years 1-6 and six Science and Technology teachers, with the long-term ambition of including all science teachers at the school. The project is being carried out in collaboration between Lolland Municipality, Byskolen and Procraft.

The grant amounts to DKK 1,600,000, and the project runs from August 2026 to September 2029

Sorø Municipality will implement a joint municipal initiative to strengthen Science and Technology teaching at Frederiksberg School and Pedersborg School. The project includes the development of a shared local curriculum, strengthening collaboration among teachers and the establishment of modern learning environments that support experimental and inquiry-based teaching.

The initiative includes professional development, subject-specific networks, new specialist classrooms, outdoor learning environments and dedicated teacher time for development work.

The target group is pupils and Science and Technology teachers from Year 0 to Year 6 at the two schools, corresponding to approximately 600 pupils. The project is being carried out in collaboration with Astra, which contributes professional guidance on curriculum development, workshops and capacity building.

The grant amounts to DKK 1,948,034, and the project runs from 2026 to 2028.

Faxe Municipality will develop and strengthen the Science and Technology subject through a coordinated municipal initiative across the municipality’s schools.

The project includes the development of inspiring and functional learning environments, the establishment of a municipal network for Science and Technology teachers and the creation of four Lab Schools that will act as development hubs for the area.

The initiative includes upgrading learning environments, purchasing equipment and teaching resources, and providing professional development opportunities and subject-specific networks.

The target group comprises approximately 40 Science and Technology teachers and around 1,773 pupils from Year 0 to Year 6. The project is being implemented by Faxe Municipality in collaboration with CFU, which contributes professional development, subject-specific guidance and workshops.

The grant amounts to DKK 4,918,200, and the project runs from 2026 to 2029.

Jammerbugt Municipality will strengthen Science and Technology teaching by establishing and developing Science and Technology classrooms at six schools across seven teaching sites.

The project builds on the municipality’s science strategy, previous professional development initiatives and existing makerspace activities and aims to provide pupils with better opportunities for inquiry-based and practice-oriented learning.

The initiative includes the establishment of three new specialist classrooms, the upgrading of four additional teaching sites, the procurement of furniture and specialist equipment, and the creation of a professional network.

The target group comprises approximately 650 pupils in Science and Technology education, as well as at least 13 teachers and school leadership representatives.

The project is being carried out by Jammerbugt Municipality in collaboration with the participating schools, while professional development and network activities are supported by municipal consultants and local resource staff.

The grant amounts to DKK 3,761,363, and the project runs from June 2026 to 2028.

Aarhus Municipality will develop Science and Technology teaching at four public schools through a comprehensive initiative that includes improvements to physical learning environments, new equipment, professional development and strengthened professional communities.

The project aims to support more practice-oriented and inquiry-based teaching while strengthening pupils’ scientific competencies and teachers’ professional practice.

The initiative includes upgrading Science and Technology classrooms, purchasing equipment for experimental teaching, providing continuing professional development, implementing co-teaching activities and establishing professional learning communities across the participating schools.

The target group comprises approximately 2,990 pupils in the early years and lower secondary levels, as well as 60 Science and Technology teachers.

The project is being carried out by Aarhus Municipality in collaboration with Frederiksbjerg School, Strandskolen, Skovvangskolen, Mårslet School, LIFE Foundation and UC VIA.

The grant amounts to DKK 4,724,808, and the project runs from August 2026 to June 2031.

News

22 September 2026

Villum Foundation supports science and technology education with DKK 30m

Can make a difference in schools

Boost for specialist classrooms, equipment and teacher competencies

Excited about the opportunities

Science and Technology in practice: strengthening expertise and networks – Brønderslev Municipality

Subject identity and physical learning environments – Nyager School and Rødovre Municipality

Science and Technology: upgrading facilities and equipment at three schools and strengthening professional communities and competencies at seven schools in Hvidovre

Science and Technology in development: strengthening learning environments in Hjørring Municipality

Practical hands and bright minds at child level – Lolland Municipality

Inter-municipal collaboration in science education – Sorø Municipality

Science and Technology as a driver of curiosity, action and scientific progression in Faxe Municipality

Innovative learning environments that strengthen scientific curiosity – Jammerbugt Municipality

Towards vibrant Science and Technology learning environments that spark children’s curiosity – Aarhus Municipality

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