History
Extraordinary ideas
Each year, the student competition inspires impressive ideas for projects. Visionary solutions and fresh perspectives have always come from all participants, not just the winners. Examples from the past include successful measures to reduce the amount of nitrogen entering the groundwater and a process developed to extract low-impact phosphate fertilizer from urine. Other projects studied the potential for double-layer capacitors as an alternative mobile energy source and produced a bio-degradable fiber-reinforced material made of stinging nettles. Each year, this diversity and interdisciplinary approach to complex topics impresses the jury and all those involved in the competition.
Assessing seven years of student competitions
In the last seven years of the competition, some 2,600 students have taken on socially relevant challenges and used math, science, and technology to develop practical solutions.The topics of focus ranged from urbanization, climate change, water, energy efficiency, conservation of resources, and the environment.
One objective in the choice of topics is to generate interest in the pursuit of university studies in math and science. The Siemens Stiftung is committed to offering students the opportunity to develop their talent through higher education.Thorough analysis of their research by the jurors is intended to strengthen them in their commitment and give them the self-confidence to continue their work. Another core objective of the competition is to establish a long-term network for the participants. The alumni program provides an active forum for past participants. Since 2010, the Siemens Stiftung has organized an annual alumni camp to which former participants are invited.
The student competition in math, science, and technology has been held since 2007. In 2009, the Siemens Stiftung took over the competition from Siemens AG.
Information on successful projects from past years can be found in the left-hand column.
