Joint Efforts in Chemistry and Biology Have Bearing Fruit

“Jugend Forscht” School Award Presented in Braunschweig

Thanks to the commitment of the school, the parent-teacher association, and donations from Roche, Steinmühle has had a student laboratory since the spring of 2015. There, interest-driven projects are possible starting in 5th grade. This year, Steinmühle reaped the rewards of this initiative and won the 2018 “Jugend Forscht” school award for the Central Hesse region.

Marvin Preis, Joel Rucker, and Mats Böhmer—currently sixth-graders—proved to be particularly clever, quick, and hardworking during experiments and lab work. The boys, who are interested in the natural sciences, demonstrated the patience required for research work—repeating experiments—and showed consistency in doing so—not exactly typical for students of this age. This led to the three students being entered in the “Jugend forscht – Schüler experimentieren” competition. Most of the competition participants are 14 years old or older.

This was only the second time Steinmühle had participated in this competition. Most of the schools in the competition are already seasoned veterans thanks to their many years of participation, while Steinmühle was still venturing into uncharted territory. Together with their teachers, the students developed ideas for topics they could explore in depth for the competition. With great enthusiasm and initiative, the trio—who were still fifth graders last school year—tinkered with their topic: “Help—Acid in Juices. Titration of Juices.”

For 15–20 minutes, the expert jury asked the three boys various questions, delving deeply into the subject matter. In their answers, the trio demonstrated expertise and dedication, making it clear just how thoroughly they had studied the topic.

In the end, the jury praised the exceptionally high standard of work demonstrated by the Steinmühle students, despite their young age. It decided to award the school prize in part because all other Steinmühle participants from grades 7 and 11 also performed very well. Steinmühle took second place in biology in the “Jugend forscht” competition, first place in the “Schüler experimentieren” competition in chemistry, and second place in chemistry as well. The latter prize went to the three youngest Steinmühle participants.

The participating teachers, Dr. Jutta Töhl-Borsdorf (chemistry) and Dr. Dietmar von der Ahe (biology), are delighted by such a high level of student engagement in the natural sciences and the time the students have invested —especially given that many Steinmühlen students are actively involved in the school’s cultural programs. According to the teachers, the competition has further strengthened the sense of community between students and teachers—a positive side effect that extends across disciplines. “You build a closer relationship with the students and share in the excitement of the competition together with them. Teachers and students are a team. That’s really something special,” said chemistry teacher Dr. Jutta Töhl-Borsdorf, describing the process from her perspective.

The subject teachers want to further encourage student engagement in chemistry and biology. Winning the school award provided further motivation to do so. Students can continue their research with enthusiasm: A lab for open research for grades 7–13 is open at the Steinmühle every Friday starting at 1:15 p.m.

 

The 2018 “Jugend Forscht” school prize for the Central Hesse region, worth 1,000 euros and awarded in Braunschweig, went to Steinmühle. Principals Björn Gemmer and Bernd Holly (back row, from left) and the subject teachers (Dr. Jutta Töhl-Borsdorf and Dr. Dietmar von der Ahe, front row) are proud of their students’ achievements.