8 Jul 2025

New Geopark school: Immanuel-Kant-Gymnasium in the district of Sigmaringen

Immanuel-Kant-Gymnasium (IKG) in Tuttlingen is a new Geopark school in the UNESCO Global Geopark Swabian Alb. The school was officially accepted into the Geopark's education network on 3 July 2025. As the twelfth Geopark school in the area, the IKG will focus in future on geological history, sustainability and regional identity.

At the award ceremony, Ulrich Ruckh, Chairman of the Geopark Association, and the Geopark team presented the certificate and plaque to project manager Katharina Kaltenbach. Tuttlingen's First Mayor Uwe Keller was also present. Both emphasised how strongly the school is committed to future-relevant topics beyond the classroom - a benefit for the entire educational region.

Learning with depth

Geopark schools focus intensively on geological history, resource conservation and natural phenomena - anchored in the respective region. At the IKG, this is already happening with concrete projects such as a school garden designed to be close to nature, which serves as a green classroom, as well as with digital learning formats. Pupils presented their results at the ceremony and explained that networking with other Geopark schools was particularly important to them.

The award is valid for three years.

Geopark as an educational partner

As part of the network, the IKG will benefit in future from educational programmes such as excursions, specialist lectures and training courses. The aim is to make global connections such as climate change or sustainable management tangible using the Swabian Jura - with the region as a living place of learning.

Further information

Immanuel-Kant-Gymnasium Tuttlingen

Stadt Tuttlingen

Donaubergland GmbH

Impressions

  • PM IKG Geopark 1
    © UNESCO Geopak Schwäbische Alb
    Delighted about the official award of the IKG as a new partner school in the UNESCO Global Geopark Swabian Alb (from left): Aaron Michaelis (Head of Geography), Katharina Kaltenbach (teacher), Max Wagner, Walter Knittel (Donaubergland GmbH), Elena Umbrecht, Sara Begonia, Mara Epple, Michael Krauss (Deputy Headmaster IKG), Laura Zimmer, Uwe Keller (First Mayor of Tuttlingen), Ulrich Ruckh (Chairman of the Geopark Association)

  • PM IKG Geopark 6
    © UNESCO Geopark Schwäbische Alb
    Laura Zimmer (right) presents the Immanuel-Kant-Gymnasium's digital learning programme - one of several projects in the field of education for sustainable development. The basis is the school garden, which serves as an interactive learning space: QR codes link to digital content on topics such as geology. The offer was developed by the team of pupils with the help of the CoSpaces programming platform. Left in the picture: Mara Epple, also a member of the student council.
  • PM IKG Geopark 4
    © UNESCO Geopark Schwäbische Alb
    Michael Krauss (Deputy Headmaster of the IKG), pupil Elena Umbrecht and Aaron Michaelis (Head of Geography). In 2021, Immanuel-Kant-Gymnasium was the only grammar school in Germany to be recognised by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the German UNESCO Commission for its exemplary work in the field of education for sustainable development.
  • PM IKG Geopark 5
    © UNESCO Geopark Schwäbische Alb
    From left: Ulrich Ruckh (Chairman of the Geopark Association), Uwe Keller (First Mayor of Tuttlingen) and Michael Krauss (Deputy Headmaster of IKG) at the official presentation of the Geopark School award.
  • PM IKG Geopark 3
    © UNESCO Geopark Schwäbische Alb
    A wall that speaks volumes: Immanuel-Kant-Gymnasium has already received several awards - including ‘Jugend forscht’, as a ‘MINT-friendly school’ and for its regional school laboratory. A new addition: the certificate as a Geopark School. Congratulations on this!