1 March 2019

Nordhausen (HSPN) On 26 February, young researchers from northern Thuringia presented their competition entries for the regional "JUGEND FORSCHT" competition in the Audimax at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences.

(Photos: Melano Dadalauri)

Youth research is a nationwide competition for young talent aimed at pupils and students who enjoy researching, experimenting and inventing. Creativity and innovation are what count - The topics range from the fastening technology of handbags and rucksacks to the influence of a healthy diet on school grades and the origin of solar radiation in interstellar space. 

Young researchers from Northern Thuringia impressed the judges in the morning with exciting projects from the fields of work, biology, chemistry, earth and space sciences, mathematics/computer science, physics and technology.

The jury consisted of professors, students and staff from Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences, specialised teachers and practitioners from regional companies.

In the afternoon, interested members of the public were of course also invited to view the ideas and inventions.

The award ceremony was opened by Mrs Herz, the regional head of JUGEND FORSCHT Nordthüringen.

The young researchers were welcomed by the President of the University, Prof Dr Jörg Wagner, who encouraged the young researchers of the future in his welcoming address and expressed the hope that one or two young talents might one day be encountered as students on the campus of Nordhausen University.

Visiting the campus for the first time was Dr Sven Baszio, Managing Director of the Jugend forscht e. V. foundation. He thought the campus and the surroundings were great: "Teaching and research happen here, and there is everything you could wish for in a good study programme.

The winners were honoured in the various competition groups and special prize categories in lecture hall 3 of the HSN.

Regional winners who receive a 1st prize automatically qualify for the state competition, which takes place on 28 and 29 March 2019 in Jena.

Two projects were honoured in the field of biology: A project on "Studies on insect wings and bird feathers" by Friedrich Möller from von-Bülow-Gymnasium Neudietendorf and a second project on "Plant-based active ingredients with antibacterial properties - an alternative to chemical-synthetic antibiotics?" by Leonie Sterzl and Ceina Gries from Gymnasium "Friedrich Schiller" Bleicherode.

In the field of chemistry, a project entitled "Creation of a handout - the CAS as a measuring device in chemistry lessons in the upper school" by Tilman Kühne, Max Groschke and Luise Engel from the "Wilhelm von Humboldt" grammar school in Nordhausen was honoured.

Chris Rönick Lennard and Timo Heusing were the regional winners in the maths/computer science category. The project title is: "When written calculations get boring". The participants presented the Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Gymnasium from Grossengottern.

Another great project in the physics department was honoured with a 1st prize. Project title: "Locking technology for handbags, rucksacks and smartphone cases using a finger scan" by Toni Reinboth from Herder-Gymnasium Nordhausen.

A project entitled "Grätzelle - suitable for everyday use?" by Tilman Kühne and Thomas Rieger from the "Wilhelm von Humboldt" grammar school in Nordhausen was honoured in the working world category. The competition was organised by the Association of Engineers and Technicians of Thuringia (VITT), the regional head of JUGEND FORSCHT Nordthüringen, Uta Herz, in cooperation with Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences.

PM 04/2019