60th anniversary of Jugend forscht - special prize "Resource conservation and resource efficiency"
The topic of "resource efficiency" is crucial when it comes to making our world fit for the future. The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) recognises the commitment of young researchers with the special "Resource Conservation and Resource Efficiency" award at Jugend forscht. The projects can deal with both the careful use of resources and increasing efficiency in the use of natural resources. Together with the BilRess network "Education for Resource Conservation and Resource Efficiency", the Federal Ministry for the Environment has been awarding the special prize at regional and state level since 2021. In the 60th anniversary year of Jugend forscht, it has now been awarded at national level for the second time. The prize money is €1,500 at national level, €250 at state level and €75 at regional level.
The 60th anniversary Jugend forscht event took place from 29 May to 1 June 2025 in Hamburg. This year, Nils Lange, Cécile Friedrich and Lucas Meier from the "Albert Schweitzer" state grammar school in Erfurt received the special prize for "Resource Conservation and Resource Efficiency" at national level. The young researchers dealt with the optimisation of wind propulsion systems in the maritime industry. Their project is entitled: Column instead of sails - analysing the Flettner rotor as an underestimated alternative for the use of wind energy. Flettner rotors are rotating columns on the ship's deck that convert crosswinds into propulsion. This can save fuel and environmentally harmful emissions such as CO2.
In their work, the research team asked themselves how the efficiency of a Flettner rotor can be increased. Their research focussed on the upper cover caps of the rotors. They constructed various models of such cover caps and simulated the air flows on the computer. As a result, they found that an optimised top cap can save an additional two percent of fuel.
Jugend forscht is Germany's best-known competition for school pupils and young people in the STEM subjects and is aimed at children and young people up to the age of 21. Since 1965, the foundation has made it its mission to discover and specifically promote young talent.