Double success for the promotion of young talent in STEM subjects in the Saarpfalz district: In the state-wide school competition ‘WAS – saarstoff’, two schools from the district took first place – the FGTS at the Galileo-Schule comprehensive school and Bexbach Primary School, and the von-der-Leyen-Gymnasium in Blieskastel. During the live presentation and awards ceremony, both teams impressed the judges with creative ideas centred on the future-oriented topic of hydrogen. A fantastic achievement by the young participants.
The competition is organised by the Saarland Hydrogen Agency, H₂Saar GmbH, in collaboration with the Saarland Ministry of Economic Affairs, Innovation, Digitalisation and Energy, and brings the topic of hydrogen to life for children and young people.
FGTS Bexbach Primary School: First place for hydrogen buses used for school transport
In the primary schools category, the children from the FGTS at Bexbach Primary School took first place. Under the title ‘Our Idea’, they developed a concept for climate-friendly school transport: Conventional school buses produce a lot of CO₂ – the pupils propose replacing them with hydrogen buses, initially on Bexbach routes 505 and 508 and gradually on other routes in the Saarpfalz district. The result: no exhaust fumes, less noise and cleaner air for everyone. The children had also considered that the hydrogen would need to be produced in an environmentally friendly way using solar and wind energy, and that a hydrogen refuelling station would be required in the region; they had also identified potential local partners for implementation, such as Stadtwerke Bexbach. The project was led by Anastasia Nikiforova. As the organisation behind the initiative, the Society for Education and Further Training in the Saarpfalz District (GAW gGmbH) promotes STEM education in the region and is delighted to receive this award. Our thanks go to her and the whole team – and, of course, to the children, whose idea won everyone over.
Von-der-Leyen Grammar School, Blieskastel: First place for hydrogen via Actionbound
In the secondary school category, pupils from the Von der Leyen Gymnasium secured one of the two top places, each of which came with a prize of 500 euros. The Year 5 pupils developed a digital Actionbound based on the theme of hydrogen in the town of Blieskastel and put it into practice on site. A barcode at each station leads to the next puzzle – and along the way, participants learn a great deal about hydrogen: from production and transport right through to its use. In this way, a complex technological topic is transformed into an interactive discovery tour through the town. The STEM club is supported through a partnership between the school and the Saarpfalz district.
Hydrogen Award ceremony at the Von der Leyen Gymnasium. Photo: Carsten SIMON
District Administrator Frank John expressed his pride in the young prize-winners:
“What our pupils have achieved here is impressive. They are consistently thinking through the energy transition – from school buses to city rallies – in a creative and well-informed way, with a genuine connection to our region. It is precisely this enthusiasm for science and technology that we need in the Saarpfalz district. My warmest congratulations go to both schools, to the dedicated teachers and, above all, to the children themselves.”
The Saarpfalz district sees these awards as confirmation of its strategy to to embed STEM subjects in schools and at its Medienzentrum+ in Blieskastel at an early stage, in a practical way and with a regional focus – thereby inspiring children and young people to take an interest in science, technology and future-oriented issues such as the energy transition.