What happens when a radio project becomes much more than just a programme? The Eichmatt school in Hünenberg set an example and transformed the school playground into a lively neighbourhood festival. Pupils, parents, siblings and teachers came together to celebrate, listen and participate. Even a well-known face from the Swiss music scene mingled with the guests and made eyes light up on the school playground.
Thursday evening, April 2025, 6 pm. The powerup_radio radio bus broadcasts live from the playground of the Eichmatt school building in Hünenberg. The school is filling up as around 300 people turn the "Eichmagic" radio project into a colourful neighbourhood festival that evening. In glorious spring weather, the Zug primary school celebrated the successful completion of the school radio programme with a big party - a real highlight for the entire school community.
children from kindergarten to sixth grade actively participated under the motto "Dini Stimm". Over the course of five project days, they produced and presented their own programmes and went live on air. Between news on current world events, travel tips, weather forecasts, interviews, street surveys and greetings to mum and dad, there was always enough time for the children's favourite songs.
"A complete success," says headmistress Yvonne Jaggy, even before the school playground filled up. The project week was preceded by intensive preparations. So it's all the nicer to be able to see and hear the results now. "We already had an audience on site for the first programme, listening intently in front of the radio bus," says Jaggy. The Radio Café, which was set up especially for the radio week and was open for two hours a day, attracted additional visitors. "All of this brings people together. "
Not only that: the radio projects promote important skills such as self-confidence, intercultural sensitivity and the conscious use of media. It strengthens a sense of community, promotes respectful interaction and encourages critical thinking and active co-determination. Creativity and the ability to communicate clearly and independently are specifically trained.
Little reporters, big names
Planning, producing, being creative: The pupils designed the reports based on the topics they dealt with in school lessons and learnt how to impart knowledge in an age-appropriate way. While the youngest children from the kindergarten gained their first experience of speaking freely and communicating in a targeted manner - whether in a very basic way or at the touch of a button - the fifth and sixth graders were already venturing into editing programmes and audio software.
"The aim of "Dini Stimm" is to give the children freedom in terms of content and real co-determination - so that they can not only actively participate, but also develop their critical and reflective self-determination," says Jaggy, explaining the choice of content. The focus was on the way in which the children could express themselves with their own words, ideas and forms. Hence the name "Dini Stimm". The content is based on the aims and requirements of Curriculum 21, particularly in the areas of ethics, children's rights, discrimination, tolerance and society.
In the radio projects, well-known faces always provide small highlights in the programmes. On the Thursday in question, one of them was Chris Filter, drummer of the successful Swiss band "HECHT". He patiently answered the questions of the youngest reporters from the kindergarten. "What was your best experience with the band?" "What is your greatest wish?" With a colourful catalogue of questions, the children elicited personal insights from their guests and made the stories behind the voices audible in an impressive way.
"Radio offers a unique opportunity to combine music and media skills. It not only gives children access to the world of music, but also to the tools with which they can find their own voice and make it heard."
Where voices connect
With a great deal of commitment, the Eichmatt school managed to turn the radio project into an experience for the entire school community that went far beyond the programmes and timetable. Thanks to the active support of the parents, who followed the broadcasts on site every day, the Radio Café and the commitment of the children and teachers, the "Eichmagic" project became a successful link between the digital radio world and the analogue school day.
"A project like this is relationship building on many levels," Haggi sums it up. According to the headmistress, the impact of the radio week went far beyond enthusiastic children, proud parents and satisfied teachers. It created real moments of connection: Numerous families not only listened intently to the programmes, but also came together in the Eichmatt school building on the mild spring evening - and created a magical atmosphere there, away from the radio waves.
Last but not least, children and young people learn to use media responsibly and to communicate with each other respectfully. They learn that their opinions count and are encouraged to express their ideas and views. Consciously expressing and articulating themselves promotes their ability to play a constructive role in a diverse society. The successful final event in Hünenberg impressively demonstrated how much energy, creativity and community is involved in the radio projects of powerup_radio and how school projects can create real connections.