Jugend forscht 2025

Nine young scientists will have very special memories of this year's Jugend forscht and Jugend forscht Junior competitions: they are the proud winners of the regional competitions in the Bavaria’s Voralpenland region. From a total of 29 projects, the expert jury selected six projects as winners. In addition to the regional winners, the judges also presented 34 other awards to young people aged between 10 and 20. The competitions have been organized and sponsored by HOERBIGER since they began 21 years ago.

Jugend forscht is Germany's best-known and largest knowledge competition for science and technology. this year, 47 young people took part in the competitions in the foothills of the Alps with 29 projects. After intensive months of research, tinkering and experimenting, they presented their creative ideas to the public on February 26 and 27 under the motto "Turn questions into answers".

"With your projects, you have not only proven that you are curious, creative and courageous, but also that you are willing to take on challenges and find solutions where others may only see problems," said Thomas Englmann, Head of the Automotive Division and member of the HOERBIGER Executive Board, in his speech to the young researchers.

"You have tackled challenging and important topics and shown that you see change as an opportunity. That's good, because true growth only comes when we have the courage to change and try new things," said Englmann. "Those who stand still fall behind - but those who seize opportunities can shape the future. This is also true at HOERBIGER and especially in our Automotive business."

Four winners in the Jugend forscht competition
Hannes Großhauser was the regional winner in the "Mathematics/Computer Science" category of the Jugend forscht competition. The 15-year-old pupil from Werdenfels-Gymnasium developed a program that can control the user's PC via voice or text commands and combines the most important AI functions of our time. Katharina Töpfer (18) and Julia Thoma (18) from Ammersee-Gymnasium in Dießen achieved first place in the "Technology" category for their construction of a ribbon microphone. Julia Trapp was awarded first place in the "Chemistry" category for her research project "NicoHybrid". The 17-year-old pupil from Ernst-Reisinger-Gymnasium in Schondorf developed an organic electricity storage system inspired by nature.

Five winners in the Jugend forscht Junior competition
Sophia Clement, a pupil at St. Irmengard Gymnasium Garmisch-Partenkirchen, developed a natural tick repellent from pelargonium for mountain sheep and achieved a regional victory in the "Biology" category of the Jugend forscht Junior competition with her research work. Linda Vracovska and Karla-Rebeca Militaru were awarded 1st place in the "Chemistry" category. The 14-year-old pupils from Lindenberg Grammar School determined the elasticity limit of hair as a function of hair care products. The surface tension of a drop of water was the focus of the project by Jaeden Rex Prince (13) and Alicia Steffens (14) from Gymnasium Lindenberg. This idea brought another victory in the "Chemistry" category.

All winners of the regional competitions in the foothills of the Alps are allowed to compete in the Bavarian state competitions. For the Jugend forscht winners, these will take place from April 2-4 in Klingenberg am Main, while the junior winners are invited to Regensburg from April 10-11.

"HOERBIGER has been a sponsor of Jugend forscht and Jugend forscht Junior for 21 years, supporting the education of our young scientists," says Dr. Stefan Felber, Head of the regional competitions in the Alpine foothills. "It is always great to see how much potential there is in the students and how much ambition they show in their projects."

"HOERBIGER is a company that is shaped by people and their performance. After all, they are the key to a company's economic success," says Thomas Englmann. "We see exactly the same thing with Jugend forscht. The competition is about people, young people, the next generation. What inspires us is your commitment, your skills, your joy and your success. It is therefore obvious that we are looking for and want to support the researchers of tomorrow."

All winners of the regional competitions in the foothills of the Alps are allowed to compete in the Bavarian state competitions. For the Jugend forscht winners, these will take place from April 2 - 4 in Klingenberg am Main, while the junior winners are invited to Regensburg from April 10 - 11.

"HOERBIGER has been a sponsor of Jugend forscht and Jugend forscht Junior for 21 years, supporting the education of our young scientists," says Dr. Stefan Felber, Head of the regional competitions in the Alpine foothills. "It is always great to see how much potential there is in the students and how much ambition they show in their projects."

"HOERBIGER is a company that is shaped by people and their performance. After all, they are the key to a company's economic success," says Thomas Englmann. "We see exactly the same thing with Jugend forscht. The competition is about people, young people, the next generation. What inspires us is your commitment, your skills, your joy and your success. It is therefore obvious that we are looking for and want to support the researchers of tomorrow."

About Jugend forscht
For over four decades, "Jugend forscht" has supported the promotion of young people with a talent for science. The initiative is backed by the German government, the magazine "stern", industry and schools in Germany. The competition is sponsored by the non-profit organization Stiftung Jugend forscht e.V., with the Federal President as patron. There are two age categories in the competition: pupils up to the age of 14 compete in the junior category "Jugend forscht Junior", participants up to the age of 21 in the "Jugend forscht" category.

About HOERBIGER
HOERBIGER has been involved in Jugend forscht and Jugend forscht Junior as a sponsor company since 2005. The Group is active worldwide in the energy sector, the process industry, the automotive industry, the mechanical engineering industry, safety technology and the electrical industry. HOERBIGER sets standards with innovations in attractive technological niche markets, creating high-quality unique selling propositions with sustainable customer benefits.