Sustainability is a key topic for Saxony's young chemists. Whether microbial fuel cells, reducing CO₂ emissions during waste incineration or hydrogen as an alternative fuel – all three of the pupil research projects in the subject of chemistry that were honored with the Dr. Hans Riegel Award explore solutions for the future that protect the environment.

A total of 85 research reports and complex assessments were submitted for the Dr. Hans Riegel Award by pupils from Saxony this year. The research was carried out by pupils in grades 10, 11 and 12 in the subjects of biology, geography, mathematics, chemistry, physics and computer science. A jury of experts from TU Dresden assessed the papers based on scientific criteria, with additional points going to particularly creative topics and projects with a clearly recognizable practical component, such as experiments.

As every year, the range of topics was impressive. In biology, the winner was a research project on the species problem using moths, while in computer science the winner was an experimental study on the security of historical and modern encryption methods in the context of computer-based attacks. In physics, the movement of satellites took the honors, while in geography, the winning paper was on the advantages and disadvantages of no-till farming. In mathematics, the golden ratio in everyday life, a classic, came out on top.

Prof. Michael Kobel, Vice-Rector Academic Affairs at TU Dresden: "From Glauchau to Görlitz, from Dresden to Kamenz – once again this year, many pupils have carried out independent scientific research in the STEM field as part of their research projects and complex assessments. In doing so, they are sending out a strong signal of how indispensable scientific methods are for generating new knowledge to meet the challenges of the present and the future. Supporting projects and awards, such as the Dr. Hans Riegel Expert Award, recognize this scientific commitment and make it visible as inspiration to others. I would like to congratulate the award winners and wish them all the best for their future careers as researchers. I very much look forward to the exciting presentations of their work." 

Peter Laffin, Project Manager at the Dr. Hans Riegel Foundation, says: "Going from school to university is often not easy. The Dr. Hans Riegel Expert Award aims to pave the way for talented pupils to enter university early on. We see ourselves as a link between the educational institutions of school and university. By receiving awards for their pre-scientific work, pupils receive recognition from university lecturers and make initial contacts. We will only be able to successfully impart the skills that are essential for the challenges of the present and future to the young generation in the long term if we encourage this enthusiasm and curiosity at an early stage."

On November 9, the 17 best research projects were honored in the traditional festive setting by TU Dresden and the Dr. Hans Riegel Foundation.

The Dr. Hans Riegel Expert Awards are endowed with EUR 600 for the first place in each subject, EUR 400 for the second place and EUR 200 for the third place. Moreover, the schools of the first place winners receive a non-cash prize of around EUR 250 in recognition of the supervision of the students' work by the respective subject teachers.

In addition to the prize money, the Dr. Hans Riegel Expert Awards grant the winners access to long-term support and networking opportunities in the form of free expert seminars and conferences organized by the Dr. Hans Riegel Foundation.

Additional information (in German): www.hans-riegel-fachpreise.com and https://tu-dresden.de/studium/vor-dem-studium/uni-testen/dr-hans-riegel-fachpreis

Overview of this year's award winners:

Media enquiries:
TU Dresden Press Office
+49 351 463-32398

Alexander Kukla
Head of Public Relations, Dr. Hans Riegel Foundation
+49 228 227447-25