Student competition 2010
Winners of the Siemens Stiftung student competition 2010 on the theme “Energy geniuses of the future – ideas for improved efficiency.”
“Double-layer capacitors as a battery replacement” was the title of the project that secured Katrin Grohn and Monika Nielen top honors at the student competition 2010 in math, science and technology. In their work, the two students from Cologne looked into the question of whether capacitors could function as an alternative mobile power supply. Peter Y. Solmssen, a member of the Siemens Stiftung Board of Trustees, presented the young researchers with a check for €30,000 in recognition of their idea. Second place, with a cash prize of €20,000, went to Viola Valentina Vogler from Berlin for her project “Guaranteed CO2-free.” Stefan Vierke from Lörrach (Baden-Württemberg) was awarded third prize along with a check for €10,000 for his work “Green energy through hibiscus blossom tea and cherry juice.” To ensure that the students receive a long-term benefit, the cash awards are set aside to help the winners fund their college education.
The first-, second- and third-place winners are also assigned tutors. The tutors, members of the Siemens scholarship programs TOPAZ and YOLANTE, provide the students with advice and hands-on support.
In addition to the junior scientists, the supporting teachers were also recognized for their dedication. Raimund Servos, Florian Neuling and Dr. Bernd Kretschmer received €3,000, €2,000 and €1,000, respectively, for their departments.
A total of 18 students from 5 Germany states had emerged from the semi-finals in Aachen, Berlin and Munich to qualify for the national finals. Like at the semi-finals, the participants had to present their projects to a jury of scientists and to the audience, then answer questions from the jury. There was no sense of nervousness, however – the young researchers mastered both tasks with composure.
The agenda naturally included many other items besides the presentations. Between the city tour, a getting-acquainted dinner or the gala dinner in the Bavarian State Library, there was no time for boredom during the weekend.
National winners of the Siemens Stiftung student competition 2010:
1st place
Katrin Grohn, Monika Nielen
Project: “Double-layer capacitors as a battery replacement”
Erzbischöfliches Ursulinengymnasium Cologne
Supporting teacher: Raimund Servos
2nd place
Viola Valentina Vogler
Project: “Guaranteed CO2 free!”
Beethoven-Schule Berlin
Supporting teacher: Florian Neuling
3rd place
Stefan Vierke
Project: “Green energy through hibiscus blossom tea and cherry juice”
Hans-Thoma-Gymnasium Lörrach
Supporting teacher: Dr. Bernd Kretschmer
