A quantum mechanical description of the electrostatic force--the effect of cosmic awareness on human compassion--an app that detects allergens in food--a plasma engine built from local materials--a self-assembly design for a swarm of robots--do these really sound like projects carried out by people respectively aged 17, 18, 13/14, and 17?
Well, they are: these projects rank among the top ten “outstanding projects” of this year’s Jonk Fuerscher (young researcher) competition, run by the Fondation Jeunes Scientifiques Luxembourg (FJSL). In this 53rd edition, the jury chose 57 research projects as winners, and the young scientists behind them were awarded various prizes, most of which included an opportunity of some kind: entry in a science fair, an international competition, a field trip, etc.
“This year, we received more [submissions from] girls than boys, which is a positive sign that our platforms are inclusive regardless of gender,” Sousana Eang, director of the FJSL, told Delano. Indeed, of the 83 scientists behind the winning projects, 43 were girls and 40 boys.
The winners of the 53rd Jonk Fuerscher contest. Photo: Victor Beusch
Participation in the competition is also up by 20%, said Eang, who added that the scientific level has also evolved “significantly.” She puts this down to the organisation’s “Science: Next” programme, which runs workshops and provides coaching for the competition.
Asked what trends are emerging among young scientists, Eang points to the climate crisis: “Since the projects are extracurricular, young people choose their scientific field themselves, and we can clearly see that they are concerned about climate change and are attempting to provide solutions or understanding.”
“Additionally,” she adds, “there are a large number of projects around engineering and computer science.”
The top ten
Genetic group training algorithm based on NeuroEvolution of augmenting topologies and using a logarithmic fixed-point number system optimised for microcontrollers, by Krzesimir Hyzyk (18), European School Luxembourg 1, a project combining engineering and AI with self-driving vehicles that have no onboard GPS.
Quantum mechanical description of the electrostatic force, by Moritz Rohner (17), Lycée de Garçons Esch, which looks at simplifying the theoretical physics models of Nobel Prize winner Richard Feynman.
Project MIRAS, by Maxime Buck (17), Lycée Michel Rodange, which presents a self-assembly design for a swarm of robots.
Cosmic compassion: exploring the impact of a cosmic perspective on compassion and societal attitudes, by Julia Bringewald (18), Lycée de Garçons Luxembourg, in which the researcher looks at the correlation between becoming aware of our place in the universe and human compassion.
AllergyScan, by Ido Somekh (14) and Leonardo Magnani (13), St George’s International School, in which the researchers develop an app enabling users to detect allergens in food.
Defining borders for bisons within borderlands: modelling and investigating reintroduction scenarios for the European bison in Belarusian-Ukrainian borderlands, by Illona Dausse (20), Leiden University College, in which the researcher simulates the reintroduction of a bovid species into this particular ecosystem.
To what extent do the environmental factors of seawater temperature and depth affect the annual sea migration behaviour of wild sea trout in southeast Iceland? by Frida Thorsteinsdottir (17), International School Luxembourg, which analyses the seasonal migration of sea trout in Nordic countries.
Carbon wise: the process of designing an educational board game, by Paula Den Otter (19), Alexandra Senn (19) and Greta Orzechowski (19), respectively of Delft University of Technology, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich and University of Twente. The researchers explore the designing of a boardgame aimed at helping travellers in Europe lower their carbon footprints.
Franquin et l’automobile, imitateur ou précurseur? by Noémie Rappenne (13), Ecole privée Notre-Dame Sainte Sophie, which shows how the cartoon character Gaston Lagaffe was the precursor of the particulate filter on exhaust pipes.
Space lift project: a low-power Hall thruster from conventional materials, by Rodion Zaichikov (13), Lënster Lycée International School, a space engineering project that shows how the researcher built a plasma engine from scratch in his garage.