Climate-friendly ideas for Saarland: Students awarded at the hydrogen competition
With the 3rd Saarland Student Competition on the topic of hydrogen "wasSAARstoff," the Saarland Hydrogen Agency H2Saar invited students from all types of schools to engage creatively with the opportunities of a climate-friendly future.
State Secretary for Education Jessica Heide honored the best competition entries: “The challenges of climate protection, the energy transition, and economic transformation require creative ideas and innovative solutions. That is why it is important that children and young people have the opportunity early on to get to know future technologies and become active themselves. The competition entries impressively demonstrate with how much curiosity, creativity, and sense of responsibility young people are already engaging with the future issues of our country today. Experiences like these strengthen STEM skills and encourage taking an active role in shaping the future.”
In the competition "wasSAARstoff," students from all types of schools explored the opportunities of hydrogen technology. Elementary school students developed ideas for a climate-friendly design of their region and presented them on posters as well as in short presentations.
The first place was taken by the FGTS of the Galileo School together with the Bexbach Primary School. In second place were the "CO2-free City Heroes" from Ludweiler, and third place went to the Hohe Wacht Primary School in Saarbrücken.
Students from secondary schools developed digital scavenger hunts using the app „Actionbound“ to convey the topic of hydrogen in Saarland in a creative and interactive way. The Willi-Graf-Gymnasium Saarbrücken, the Technical-Scientific Gymnasium Dillingen, and the Von der Leyen-Gymnasium Blieskastel qualified for the final. The three groups presented their contributions at the award ceremony before a panel of experts, who then decided on the final rankings. The jury ultimately awarded two first prizes, which went to the Von der Leyen-Gymnasium and the Willi-Graf-Gymnasium, while the Technical-Scientific Gymnasium Dillingen took third place.
With their projects, the students have impressively demonstrated how complex future topics can be conveyed creatively, clearly, and practically.
Minister of Economic Affairs Jürgen Barke: “Hydrogen is a central component for the climate-neutral transformation of our economy. The competition impressively demonstrates how early young people in Saarland engage with the technologies of tomorrow and develop their own solutions. This commitment deserves the highest recognition because innovation arises where knowledge, creativity, and practice come together. In doing so, we not only strengthen the understanding of future technologies but also the innovative strength of our region.”
The competition links school learning with current future issues and makes hydrogen tangible as an important building block of the energy transition for young people. At the same time, it strengthens STEM education and promotes skills such as teamwork, problem-solving ability, creativity, and presentation skills.
H2Saar Managing Director Dr. Bettina Hübschen: "It is absolutely fascinating to see how much creativity and depth the students in Saarland bring to the topic of hydrogen. H2Saar warmly congratulates all the winners – you have inspired us all today!"
