First time in Hesse: State competition "Schüler experimentieren" at the University of Kassel

"The fact that the first Hessian state competition is coming to Kassel is great," says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Axel Bangert, Dean of the Department of Electrical Engineering/Computer Science. The department is the organizer of the competition. "The importance of STEM subjects - especially as an economic factor - cannot be overestimated," says the electrical engineer. That makes it all the more important to support and motivate interested young talent, he added. STEM subjects cover the fields of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology. The award ceremony will be a prominent event: The presenter of the competition will be Shary Reeves - known from the KIKA science program "Wissen macht Ah!

Winners will be chosen in seven disciplines: physics, mathematics/computer science, the world of work, technology, chemistry, biology, and earth and space sciences. "The University of Kassel is committed to sustainably promoting young talent from the STEM fields," says Bangert. "'Schüler experimentieren' is an important contribution to this."

Participants in the competition, who have qualified for the state competition as the best in the seven regional competitions in Hesse, work on projects on questions of their own choosing. They first present their results to a competition jury in a written paper. This is followed at the competition itself by an oral presentation and a questioning by a jury of experts. In addition, the young researchers design a booth where they present their research results to the public. "Visitors are welcome!" says Bangert. Admission is free.

The projects are diverse. The young researchers ask the audience exciting questions such as:  Toast without a toaster - is that possible? How do cats learn? And how and how quickly does milk really spoil? They deal with things that affect everyone in everyday life, such as: Phosphate in food - How delicious food can become dangerous. But also with those that are beyond our sensory experience, such as determining the mass of Jupiter.

The competition's motto is: "Ask yourself." and thus aims to encourage children and young people to think independently and work scientifically.

The Schüler experimentieren competition is an event organized by the Jugend forscht foundation. For the first time, there is now a state competition for the state of Hesse. It will take place on April 12 and 13, 2019, on the campus of the Department of Electrical Engineering/Computer Science at Wilhelmshöher Allee 73 - access via entrance C. The public is cordially invited to the presentation of the projects on Saturday, April 13, 2019, starting at 1 p.m., as well as to the award ceremony at 3 p.m.

Further information:

www.uni-kassel.de/go/schueler_experimentieren

Under the slogan "We're looking for the researchers of tomorrow!", the then STERN editor-in-chief and publisher Henri Nannen called for the first round of the "Jugend forscht" competition in 1965. His vision was to give children and young people the chance to get excited about mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology and to promote their talents at an early stage.

The cdw Foundation stands for regional commitment and global responsibility. Under the motto energy in ideas, the foundation develops initiatives and promotes measures that support the economic, cultural or social development of North Hesse. Globally, the foundation works with local people to promote the development of rural areas on the basis of renewable energy systems.

The Department of Electrical Engineering/Computer Science is characterized by a broad range of topics in cutting-edge research with partners in Germany and abroad, as well as by the training of highly qualified engineers and computer scientists. The department's curriculum includes bachelor's and master's degree programs in electrical engineering and computer science, as well as English-language international master's degree programs in Electrical Communication Engineering (ECE), Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency for the Middle East and North Africa Region (REMENA), and Functional Safety Engineering (FUSE). An additional master's program in Environmental Informatics (ENVICS) is planned.

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Axel Bangert
University of Kassel
Dean of Department 16 Electrical Engineering/Computer Science
E-mail: bangert[at]uni-kassel[dot]de
Tel.: +49 561 804-6366

David Wüstehube
University of Kassel
Communications, Press and Public Relations Office
E-mail: david.wuestehube[at]uni-kassel[dot]de
Tel.: +49 561 804-1961