In this year's final of the 34th State Olympics in Physics, a total of 58 pupils from 18 schools in Brandenburg in years 7 to 12 competed at the Carl-Friedrich-Gauß-Gymnasium to put their skills to the test. They faced challenging tasks such as in-vestigating the change in the refractive index of water through the addition of salt, how an astronaut can heat water in a container in a state of zero gravity or determining the effective value of the current and the phase shift in the primary circuit. After the theoretical tests on the expertise and problem-solving skills of the young physicists on Wednesday, the experiments followed on Thursday. The physics talents then visited IHP – Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics, where they were given a comprehensive insight into the world of research. The award ceremony, which also took place at IHP, brought this year's State Olympics in Physics to a successful conclusion.
The Scientific Director, Prof Gerhard Kahmen, welcomed the pupils at IHP: "You did it: you qualified through three rounds and made it to the final. Congratulations. You are the young scientific and technical talents that are needed to change and advance the world of tomorrow. Physics is the basis of numerous disciplines. Be open to this, e.g. in the basic subjects but also in the engineering sciences. Seek dialogue with our scientists, inform yourself and remain loyal to the topic. The world is open to you."
Dr Marvin Zöllner, Head of the Semiconductor Optoelectronics Group, gave an introduction to his field of research and talked about material development using synchrotron radiation. At the same time, he encouraged the young people to turn their passion into a career. Further possible areas of work were then explained during various laboratory tours. Some questions were clarified in dialogue with scientists. There were insights into the IHP clean room, the spectroscopy laboratory and the tester laboratory, among other things.
During the award ceremony, which was introduced musically by cajon and electric guitar, Birgit Nix, representing the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the State of Brandenburg, offered congratulations and words of appreciation. She emphasised that the State Olympics in Physics is a key component in promoting exceptionally talented and gifted pupils. She expressly highlighted the tireless commitment of the teaching staff, who make a significant contribution to the development and support of the participants. She also emphasised the important role played by BLiS e. V., which, as the organiser of the mathematics and natural sciences state olympics, provides indispensable support for the implementation of such demanding competitions.
The joint organisation of the final of the State Olympics in Physics is based on the cooperation agreement between the two institutions IHP and Gauß-Gymnasium. In his welcoming address, Frankfurt's Mayor Claus Junghanns emphasised the connection between the State Olympics and Frankfurt's scientific institution IHP. He also said: "I hope to see some of you again in Frankfurt in a few years' time: In one of our companies, at a symposium or elsewhere."
This year's award winners:
Grade 7
3rd prize: Paul Eichberger and Toni Winkler from Max-Steenbeck-Gymnasium
2nd prize: Felix Zimmer from Max-Steenbeck-Gymnasium
1st prize: Lorenzo Loudermilk from Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Gymnasium
Grade 8
3rd prize: Paula Kruse from Friedrich-Anton-von-Heinitz-Gymnasium and Jaron Zielhofer from Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Gymnasium
2nd prize: Elsa Lehnert from Carl-Friedrich-Gauß-Gymnasium
1st prize: Max Oramus from Carl-Friedrich-Gauß-Gymnasium
Grade 9
3rd prize: Finja Heller and Fabian Zimmermann from Weinberg-Gymnasium
2nd prize: Justus Böhme from Max-Steenbeck-Gymnasium
1st prize: Klara Guzenda from Carl-Friedrich-Gauß-Gymnasium
Grade 10
3rd prize: Henrik Mengdehl from Paulus-Praetorius-Gymnasium
2nd prize: Annika Krüger from Albert-Schweitzer-Gymnasium
1st prize: Jonathan Panzer from Carl-Friedrich-Gauß-Gymnasium
Grade 11/12
3rd prize: Vinzent Schultze from Max-Steenbeck-Gymnasium
2nd prize: Jonathan Rajewicz from Carl-Friedrich-Gauß-Gymnasium
1st prize: Til Schacher from Carl-Friedrich-Gauß-Gymnasium
