DESY@CFEL hosts “Jugend forscht”: young talent meets cutting-edge research

DESY has been a long-standing partner of “Jugend forscht” – and this year, for the first time, hosted the Hamburg state competition at CFEL. The winners will advance to the national finals in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria.

AI for cancer detection, accelerator research in space, underwater robots for cleaning up marine litter – these are not projects by established scientists, but ideas developed by school students from Hamburg. Schoolchildren with extensive interests in STEM presented these and many other projects at the Hamburg regional competition of “Jugend forscht”, competing for one of the coveted spots at the national finals, which will take place in Herzogenaurach from 28 to 31 May.

For many years, DESY has hosted a regional “Jugend forscht” competition – but this year, for the first time, the research center also served as the venue for the Hamburg state finals. This aligns perfectly with DESY’s mission: for decades, the center has been actively involved in STEM education at all levels, from early childhood programs to school initiatives at both national and international levels, as well as targeted talent development. What sets DESY apart is its unique combination of hands-on experience, direct insights into cutting-edge research, and strong networking opportunities.

Prof. Beate Heinemann, Chair of the DESY Directorate and member of the Board of Trustees of the “Little Scientists’ House” Foundation (Stiftung Kinder forschen), emphasizes: “Children are naturally curious – and that’s exactly what we want to nurture and encourage. At DESY, we show that science is anything but abstract or boring. It’s vibrant, relevant to everyday life, and full of surprises. Every year, around 10,000 students experience this firsthand in our school labs in Hamburg and Zeuthen. I’m particularly delighted that this year, we’re hosting the Hamburg state finals of 'Jugend forscht' at DESY, where we can celebrate the students with the most exciting, original, or promising ideas – and I’m personally thrilled by the projects these young talents have developed!”

Katharina von Fintel, State Councillor for Schools and Vocational Training at the Hamburg Authority for Schools, Families, and Vocational Training, highlights the competition’s significance for Hamburg’s science and education landscape: “'Jugend forscht' showcases the dedication with which young people tackle societal, technical, and scientific challenges. The competition is a vital contribution to nurturing the next generation of STEM talent. DESY’s first-time role as this year’s host of the Hamburg state finals underscores the importance of a strong connection between schools, research, and talent development – exactly what we need to further advance Hamburg as a vibrant hub for science.”

As an official partner of the competition, DESY plays a key role in its organization and execution. The research center provides infrastructure and support and also contributes to the awards ceremony. Additionally, DESY scientists actively participate as jury members, helping to select the winning projects.

A special highlight this year: In addition to schools from Hamburg, classes from German schools in Istanbul, Buenos Aires, and Zagreb also participated. Prizes were awarded in the categories “Work Environment,” “Biology,” “Chemistry,” “Earth and Space Sciences,” “Mathematics/Computer Science,” “Physics,” and “Engineering.”