Boris Herrmann's sailing and sea mission in school lessons: The "Seaexplorer" on the Diercke geography book title

Who doesn't remember the Dierckes? Whether atlas classics or geography books - they have accompanied generations of pupils in the classroom and still do today. But anyone who thinks that they still come in a somewhat dusty cover dress is mistaken. Thanks to the initiative of editorial coordinator and dedicated teacher Stefan Junker and the authors, Schleswig-Holstein is now breaking new ground. From May this year, sixth form students in the north of Germany can look forward to a refreshing look for their Diercke textbook, as Boris Herrmann's popular Vendée Globe yacht "Seaexplorer" will be featured on the cover. The book itself also presents circumnavigator Boris Herrmann, his team Malizia, the sailing project and, above all, the environmental commitment.

"The image has the power to inspire the students"

The initiative is a role model in many respects. The makers have the courage to tackle a topical issue in a timely manner. The protagonist is a tangible idol who can inspire through his actions. "In the last Pisa study, Germany's pupils were at the bottom of the league when it came to taking action. So we want to give pupils positive role models for action," says Diercke's author team coordinator and presenter Stefan Junker on the decision in favour of the modern sailing title. According to the experienced teacher, who became aware of the topic years ago through the educational project "My Ocean Challenge" and uses it in a variety of ways in the classroom, it is well known that well-designed textbooks can have a positive influence on lessons. That's why Junker says: "The modern sailing picture with the slogan 'A race we must win' fits the title perfectly. It's about giving young people positive energy, encouraging them to do something. The publisher was in complete agreement with us: Boris Herrmann and his team are role models when it comes to taking action. What's more, initial tests have shown that this image really does have the power to inspire schoolchildren."

Boris Herrmann: "I'm absolutely delighted!"

Boris Herrmann feels honoured to be included in the sixth form lessons in this way. "Geography was still called geography here," he says with a smile, "it was one of my elective subjects in the sixth form. Of course we had geography books from Diercke. I'm really pleased that we're now on the cover thanks to the dedicated teacher Stefan Junker. There is also a chapter in the book about our team. We had Stefan Junker's class as guests at our Team Malizia stand during Kieler Woche and will be visiting the school for the Unesco Action Day. It is one of the wonderful and inspiring contacts that have resulted from our education and school campaign over the years."

The "My Ocean Challenge" is based on three pillars, as Herrmann's wife and initiator Birte Lorenzen-Herrmann explains: "It's about sailing, science and education. We want to motivate and fascinate children and young people, tell them what is happening to the oceans as a result of climate change and how they can get involved." From May, the Malizia Ocean Challenge and Herrmann's Vendée Globe adventures will be part of geography lessons in Schleswig-Holstein's upper secondary schools. Perhaps this will even inspire other federal states to take up current projects and role models for their lessons.