Brilliant mindsYoung scientists shine at 54th annual national competition in Luxembourg

This year’s event saw 141 students (72 girls, 69 boys) from 30 high schools and universities present 83 groundbreaking research and development projects, earning 20 prestigious awards. Many winners will go on to represent Luxembourg at top-tier international scientific events.

A celebration of innovation and discovery

The competition spanned two days, with Friday, 14 March, dedicated to jury interviews and peer-to-peer exchanges. Seventeen experts across various scientific field – including engineering, physical-chemical sciences, biology/medicine, and the humanities – assessed the projects. On Saturday, 15 March, the event opened to the public, allowing attendees to explore the students’ research firsthand.

The highly anticipated prize-giving ceremony, hosted by Dirk Daenen, marked the event’s grand finale. Highlights included:

• A keynote address by Prof. Michel Goedert, a renowned Luxembourgish neuroscientist from Cambridge and a participant in the very first Jonk Fuerscher competition in 1971.

• Energetic performances by the rockabilly band Little John & the Cadillacs.

• A world-record attempt at stacking soap bubbles by scientific artist Pierre-Yves Fusier, which was unfortunately hindered by the warm conditions in the venue.

The livestream of the event, including informal interviews with candidates, is available on YouTube.

Outstanding projects and award winners

Among the numerous prizes, several special and flagship awards stood out:

RTL Public’s Choice Award

• Tsipora Dana, Francisca Goettsch – The impact of river location (rural, urban, roadside) on microplastic levels.

“Unge Forskere” Prize (Denmark) – Jury’s Pick

• Krzesimir Hyżyk (19) – Adaptive camouflage using wavelet observations of Virtual Quantum Particles for environmental replication.

• Olha Kiriakova (12) – Exploring CRISPR beyond the double helix with technology and creativity.

• Alexandre Buck (13) – D.C.I.R: Detector of Change in Intensity of Rays.

Flagship Prize “China Adolescents Science and Technology Innovation Contest (CASTIC),” supported by the Lanners Foundation

• Maxime Buck – A modular self-assembling robotic system.

Flagship Prize “Taiwan International Science Fair (TISF),” supported by Paul Wurth - SMS Group:

• Rodion Zaichikov – Low-cost hypersonic wind tunnel for visualizing hypersonic airflow using Schlieren Imaging for scramjet engines.

Flagship Award “European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS)” (Latvia):

• Fréderik Mortier, Noah Lindenlaub – PLA production using Chlorella Vulgaris.

• Shaheen Aljourdi, Rodrigo Von Mayer Goulart, Yigit Günes – AURA: A wearable UV monitoring bracelet for sun protection.

• Ella Fanxi Jiang, Eva Lenan Du – Decarbonizing Bitcoin mining: A multidimensional analysis of global carbon emissions, energy transition, and policy optimization.

The competition not only highlighted the bright future of scientific research in Luxembourg but also provided a platform for young scientists to showcase their innovative ideas to a global audience. With their success, these students continue to position Luxembourg as a hub of scientific excellence and discovery.