Held in Hamburg, this year’s national final recognized a number of talented participants from Bavaria for their outstanding contributions. Among the most celebrated was 19-year-old Vincent Engelbrecht from Ingolstadt. A student at Katharinen-Gymnasium, Engelbrecht received two prestigious awards: first place in the “Working World” category and a special invitation to the European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS), one of Europe’s top science events for students.
Zoo Management via App and Edible Power Sources
Engelbrecht developed a software application that enables central zoo management tasks to be operated efficiently via smartphone. The app is already being used at the Wasserstern Zoo in Ingolstadt, demonstrating its practical application in the real world.
In the chemistry category, 17-year-olds Elisabeth Fischermann and Tom Kreßbach from Julius-Echter-Gymnasium in Elsenfeld stood out with their innovative battery project. They created a rechargeable battery in tablet form, using only materials safe for human consumption. The technology could power ingestible medical sensors, particularly for imaging within the digestive system.
Moon as Mirror, Solar-Powered Bicycles, and Superhero-Inspired Climbing Suits
In the field of geosciences and space research, Sienna Drack (16) and Claire Dillmann (17) from Oskar-von-Miller-Gymnasium in Munich won national recognition for a project that uses the moon as a reflective surface. By analyzing color spectrums of reflected light, they aim to assess Earth’s vegetation health. Designed as a citizen science initiative, the project could complement satellite-based environmental monitoring in the future.
Additional prizes for Bavarian students included four third-place and one fourth-place finishes across several categories. Among them were a solar-powered bicycle that charges its battery while in motion and an innovative climbing suit. Inspired by Spider-Man, the suit uses vacuum pumps to allow the wearer to climb smooth surfaces, pushing the boundaries of wearable technology.
Special Awards Highlight Further Achievements
Numerous special prizes were also awarded in categories such as physics, computer science, and biology. One notable project focused on the effects of climate change on songbirds on the island of Helgoland, reflecting a growing interest in ecological research among young scientists.
A total of 167 young researchers qualified for the 60th national final of “Jugend forscht,” presenting 112 forward-looking projects in the fields of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and technology (STEM). The competition once again confirmed the extraordinary potential of Germany’s youth—particularly those from Bavaria—who continue to deliver innovative ideas with real-world impact.
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