OREANDA-NEWS. November 15, 2013. The 49th edition of the Jugend forscht young scientists competition, being held this year under the motto “Realize Your Idea!”, is underway. Young people with an interest in mathematics, computers, science and technology can once again register for Germany’s best-known competition for budding scientists.

ThyssenKrupp is sponsoring the competition at local level in North Rhine-Westphalia and Saar-land. “We have been sponsoring Jugend forscht for some time”, states Dr. Reinhold Achatz, ThyssenKrupp chief technologist. “It is very important for ThyssenKrupp as a technology group as well as for society as a whole that talented young people are inspired to get involved in science and technology.”

Jugend forscht is just the thing for youngsters with lots of ideas who love a challenge and have a passion for inventing and experimenting. The closing date for registration is November 30, 2013. Entry conditions, the form for online registration, further information and this year’s poster can be downloaded on the internet at www.jugend-forscht.de.

There are no set tasks in the competition. Entrants choose their topic themselves. However it must involve one of the seven specialist areas: working world, biology, chemistry, geography and regional sciences, mathematics/computer science, physics or technology.

To register on the internet, all that is needed initially is the topic and a brief description of the project. Entrants have until January 2014 to submit a written paper. Local heats will then be held across the country from February. The winners go through to state-level heats. The winners of the state competitions qualify for the national final in May. In all three rounds of the competition cash and non-cash prizes worth a total of around a million euros will be awarded.
“We expect the 49th edition of the competition to once again attract a large number of entries,” says Dr. Sven Baszio, executive director of Stiftung Jugend forscht e. V. “Our competition allows young people to be curious and creative, try out their ideas and develop their skills. For successful participants it’s a great addition to their resume.”