What if I told you that the very school before us is linked to the invention we often take for granted? This is the Reinhold-Burger-Schule. It is more than just a place of learning. It carries the legacy of an inventor.
The Reinhold-Burger-Schule is an integrated secondary school in Berlin’s Pankow district. It proudly bears the name of Reinhold Burger. He was the inventor of the Thermos flask. The school has developed a values-oriented socio-cultural profile. It strives to provide its students with a holistic education.
Let’s delve into the school’s history. At the start of the 20th century, Pankow thrived as a Berlin suburb. Around that time, the impressive five-story school building emerged. Its construction finished in 1900. For a short time the building stood alone. But that changed when the Pankow City Hall was built in 1902.
From the 1920s to the end of World War II, the school was an Oberrealschule for boys. During that time, it was named after Carl Peters. He was the founder of the German colony of East Africa. However, his racist views led to the school’s renaming during the GDR era.
After the war, Soviet forces occupied the buildings around the town hall. The school building became the seat of the Soviet military court. The Red Army confiscated the building.
Around 1950, the school reopened to students. In the GDR era, it was named Cäsar-Horn-Oberschule. This was in honor of the resistance fighter Cäsar Horn. Even then, both the school and the adjacent sports hall received landmark protection.
Extensive renovations modernized the Reinhold-Burger-Schule. These renovations were completed in 2008 for the main building. Work on the secondary building finished in 2015.
The Reinhold-Burger-Schule earned the title “School Without Racism School With Courage” in 2014. The school actively promotes political education. Ninth-grade students regularly participate in trips to the Auschwitz memorial.
The school combines related subjects. These subjects are “Social Sciences”, “Culture”, and “Natural Sciences”. This approach allows for project-based learning. Each year ends with a summer festival. Students, parents, and teachers are invited.
In 2021, the Reinhold-Burger-Schule became a “Reference School for Culture”. This was part of Berlin’s “Culture Agents for Creative Schools” program. The school offers various internships. Eighth-graders complete a 14-week social internship. The “Integrated Productive Learning” program gives additional learning opportunities.
The student newspaper “Volle Kanne” has won several awards. It achieved first place in the Berlin student newspaper competition. In 2021, it won third place in the national competition.
Reinhold Burger patented his invention 120 years ago. The school’s namesake made a lasting impact. The Thermos flask is featured in the school logo. The student newspaper is named “Volle Kanne”. The Reinhold-Burger-Schule is a place where history and innovation meet. It inspires students every day.