Liang Künzler (13) received the main prize for the "Best creative work" and first prize in the technology discipline for his work on an aircraft concept for generating hydrogen. In his project, the student designed an aircraft that autonomously ascends into the stratosphere and produces hydrogen at an altitude of 15,000 m using solar energy and stores it in pressurized tanks. In the model, many airplanes are accompanied by a tanker and deliver the hydrogen there, similar to bees on nectar. Liang clearly impressed the jury with his project. The "Best Creative Work" award is endowed with 300 euros and is donated by the Hessian Ministry of Culture, Education and Opportunities.

The first-place winners in the other disciplines each receive prize money of 150 euros. These are:

Working world: "'NeuroPon': Brainwave-controlled gaming to overcome barriers" (Liam Alexander Lang (14), Klara von Hauff (12), Grimmelshausen Gymnasium, Gelnhausen)

Chemistry: "Sustainable barbecue lighters made from organic waste" (Henri Gernhardt (14), Elia Valentin Centonze (14), Alexander Hoffmann (14), Justus-Liebig-Schule, Darmstadt)

Earth and space sciences: "Development of a multi-channel radiation measurement system for stratospheric measurements" (Julian Mayer (14), Goethe-Gymnasium Bensheim, Bensheim)

Mathematics / Computer Science: "General algorithm for ellipse recognition and classification" (Robin Söder (14), SchülerForschungsZentrum Nordhessen of the University of Kassel, Kassel)

Physics: "Smart fluids - smart cars? MR fluids as metamorphic shock absorbers" (Akaash Bhagwat (14), Emil Zuckermann (12), Steinmühle - Schule & Internat, Marburg)

Technology: "Aircraft concept for generating hydrogen from solar energy in the stratosphere" (Liang Künzler (13), Jugend forscht MakerLab, Schuldorf Bergstraße, Seeheim - Jugenheim)

The state prize for the best interdisciplinary project went to Jenna Ronald (14) from the Jugend forscht MakerLab at Schuldorf Bergstraße in Seeheim-Jugenheim for her work "Interplanetary - Life under Gravity". Numerous special prizes were also awarded.

At the award ceremony, the Hessian Minister for Culture, Education and Opportunities, Armin Schwarz, welcomed the audience. He had previously taken a tour of the exhibition to see the diverse projects for himself. "Jugend forscht JUNIOR impressively demonstrates the potential of young Hessian minds. At a time of great challenges - from climate change to digitalization - we need precisely this thirst for discovery and the courage to ask new questions. The remarkable increase in the number of participants this year shows that we are well on the way to encouraging this courage. Germany thrives on the urge to explore, creativity and knowledge. That is why STEM education is a central component of our future viability."

Lord Mayor Dr. Sven Schoeller then welcomed the attendees on behalf of the City of Kassel: "With its diverse school landscape and extremely active student research scene, Kassel offers the best conditions for courageous and innovative young researchers. We are therefore delighted to be hosting this important competition once again."

Axel Bangert, representing the Vice President of the University of Kassel, Prof. Dr. René Matzdorf, addressed the young researchers in attendance: "I am particularly pleased that we can report a new record for participation this year with 66 participants in a total of 37 teams. At the same time, each and every one of you has set a personal record by presenting your projects with courage, perseverance and scientific curiosity."

The ceremony was moderated by Physics expert and science journalist Dr. Sascha Ott.

"Jugend forscht junior" (formerly "Schüler experimentieren") is the junior division of "Jugend forscht". Pupils between the ages of 4 and 14 can take part. The Hessen state competition is organized every year by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering/Computer Science at the University of Kassel. In this round, a total of 66 young researchers took part in 37 teams. They presented their projects, experiments and results first to the jury (on March 20) and then to the public (on March 21).

The Hessian state competition "Jugend forscht junior" is generously supported by the sponsoring institutions cdw Stiftung gGmbH and Stiftung Hübner und Kennedy gemeinnützige GmbH as well as the employers' association HESSENMETALL Nordhessen and VDI Bezirksverein Nordhessen, among others.

Further quotes:

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Axel Bangert, departmental representative for the state competition: "Here we have gathered the "Hessian mineral resources of the future" in a very small space. The young researchers have achieved impressive results and presented their projects clearly. At the same time, they are important STEM ambassadors who inspire others for scientific and technical topics."

Eva Kretzer, Head of the state competition: "This year's motto 'Maximum Perspective' symbolizes the enormous potential of young people in the STEM field. The fact that we have more participants and projects this year than ever before is a strong signal of the innovative strength of our young scientists."

Moritz Micalef from the cdw Foundation: "'Jugend forscht junior' stands for curiosity, a spirit of research and the exchange of young talent. When students up to the age of 14 work on topics such as brainwave-controlled gaming, new materials made from milk protein or the question of life under gravity, it is impressive to see how much creativity and scientific curiosity they have. The University of Kassel's dedicated supporting program creates exactly the right space for encounters and networking in which young researchers can learn from each other and further develop their ideas."

Reinhard Hübner, Managing Director of Stiftung Hübner und Kennedy gemeinnützige GmbH: "The maximum perspective is created where young people experience trust at an early age and can freely develop their ideas in open thinking and research spaces. Jugend forscht junior creates precisely such spaces and impressively demonstrates how curiosity, creativity and potential are awakened in young minds. That is why the competition deserves our full support."

Prof. Dr. Dirk Dahlhaus, Dean of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering/Computer Science: "In our high-tech world, you could get the impression that everything has already been researched and developed. However, this is not the case. The 'Jugend forscht junior' competition in particular shows that answering a question in science always produces new, exciting questions. These contribute to solving social and technological challenges."