The “Jugend forscht” youth science competition was initiated in 1965 by Henri Nannen, the founder of the news magazine Der Stern, which he led as editor-in-chief and publisher for many years. The aim of the competition is to get young people interested in natural sciences. It has proved a success: over 150,000 young people have shown their intellectual curiosity by participating.

With its special prize for mobile communications “Sonderpreis Mobilfunk”, the IZMF hopes to encourage young people to innovate in mobile technologies. The prize is part of the IZMF’s commitment to education and youth. It has been awarded annually at the “Jugend forscht” regional youth science competitions since 2006 and since 2011 at the “Jugend forscht” national competition.

The IZMF special prize for mobile communications has been given to 68 projects, including an automated cat feeder, an emergency call system for people suffering from Parkinson’s, a mosquito locating system, a mobile phone that only needs to be charged three times a year, an intelligent schoolbag that tells its owner what to pack, a mobile phone app to locate missing persons and a remote controlled tractor.

Here are some of the young prize winners and their innovative projects, all of which use aspects of mobile communications. Their world of ideas is astounding. (Only in German)