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  • “Science in 5 minutes” : Three questions for Felix Gross

    Three questions for Felix Gross

    At the GDNÄ Science Slam “Science in 5 Minutes”, Felix Gross came in second with his presentation on pattern recognition using artificial intelligence. The 17-year-old attends the Marienschule in Bielefeld, where he is taking advanced courses in mathematics and computer science and is aiming to graduate next year. His topic in the Science Slam was “Seeing without understanding – how AI interprets images”.

    Can you describe your topic in a few sentences?
    I presented the way in which convolutional neural networks, or CNNs for short, work. This allows certain patterns to be recognized in images, for example numbers, such as perceiving a three. Specifically, I use this method to improve chess robots. Currently, the robots don’t allow their opponent a break, even in difficult positions. My program ensures that the robot waits a little with the next move, namely for the length of time that a human usually needs to think.

    How did you come up with the topic?
    It just developed over time. As a child, I was already interested in robots. I have always been fascinated by things that do something independently. A year ago, I started working on the topic of chess.

    What are you planning to do next?
    I’m currently applying to the German national artificial intelligence competition with my program. After graduating from high school, I would like to study computer science – I don’t know yet where. After that, I want to work in AI research. If that doesn’t work out, I can also imagine taking a job in the business world.

    Professorin Eva-Maria Neher © Universität Göttingen/Peter Heller

    © GDNÄ

    At the GDNÄ Science Slam “Science in 5 Minutes”, 17-year-old Felix Gross came in second with his presentation on pattern recognition using artificial intelligence.

    Eva-Maria Neher honoured with the Alexander von Humboldt Medal

    Eva-Maria Neher honoured with the Alexander von Humboldt Medal

    At the 133rd meeting of the Society of German Natural Scientists and Physicians (GDNÄ) in Potsdam, the Alexander von Humboldt Medal was awarded to Göttingen-based Professor Eva-Maria Neher. She received the award for her scientific educational work and her special commitment as president and board member of the GDNÄ.

    Prof. Dr Eva-Maria Neher was honoured with the Alexander von Humboldt Medal at the opening session of the 133rd Conference of the Society of German Natural Scientists and Physicians (GDNÄ) on 13 September 2024 at the Griebnitzsee Campus of the University of Potsdam. At the award ceremony, the current President of the Society of Natural Scientists, Professor Heribert Hofer, highlighted the outstanding contributions of the award winner to the education of young people in the field of mathematics and science. “Eva-Maria Neher has successfully led the GDNÄ’s student programme for many years and developed it into a central part of the meetings,” said Hofer. In addition, as President and long-standing member of the Board of Directors, she has had a decisive influence on the development of the GDNÄ.

    Eröffnung der Büros Postplatz 1 © Paul Glaser

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    In her acceptance speech, the prizewinner emphasised her commitment to the GDNÄ, which she intends to continue to support with advice and assistance in the future.

    About the award

    The Alexander von Humboldt Medal honours individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the further development of the Society of German Natural Scientists and Physicians. The medal commemorates the great natural scientist and cosmopolitan Alexander von Humboldt (1769 to 1859). He made a decisive contribution to the early development of the GDNÄ. The medal has been awarded every two years since 2010.

    Professorin Eva-Maria Neher © Universität Göttingen/Peter Heller

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Eva-Maria Neher with the certificate for the GDNÄ’s Alexander von Humboldt Award. To her left: GDNÄ Secretary General and Treasurer Michael Dröscher (with medal), to her right GDNÄ President Heribert Hofer.

    About the person

    Honorary Professor Dr Eva-Maria Neher studied biology, biochemistry, organic chemistry and microbiology in Göttingen and received her doctorate in 1977. In 1993, she began designing and organising experimental courses in chemistry and biology at the Freie Waldorfschule Göttingen. In 2000, Eva-Maria Neher founded the XLAB – Göttinger Experimentallabor für junge Leute e.V. and headed it until 2018. She has been Chairwoman of the Board of the XLAB Foundation since 2008 and Chairwoman of the University Council of the European University of Flensburg since 2014, as well as President of the Board of the Network of Youth Excellence e.V. She has been a member of the Board and Board Council of the GDNÄ since 2013. In 2015 and 2016, she was President of the Society of Natural Scientists. Neher has been honoured many times for her social and scientific commitment.

    Interviews with Eva-Maria Neher

    Photo journal Daily impressions from the GDNÄ Conference 2024

    Photo journal

    Daily impressions from the GDNÄ Conference 2024

    The Young GDNÄ on the podium, a Nobel Prize winner during his lecture lecture, discussions during the coffee break, the ambience on the Griebnitzsee Griebnitzsee university campus: impressions of the 133rd meeting can be found on this page. A picture and a short text – here you will find brief and succinctly about highlights and nice side events. A detailed photo documentation will soon be available on this homepage.

    Thursday, 12 September 2024

    Science-Slam auf der 133 Versammlung in Potsdam

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    In GDNÄ hands for four days: Lecture theatre building at the University of Potsdam in Griebnitzsee.

    Paul Mühlenhoff, der Leiter des GDNÄ-Schülerprogramms, grüßt vom Versammlungsort 2024 auf dem Campus Griebnitzsee der Universität Potsdam.

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    A crowd-puller: the GDNÄ Science Slam.

    Paul Mühlenhoff, der Leiter des GDNÄ-Schülerprogramms, grüßt vom Versammlungsort 2024 auf dem Campus Griebnitzsee der Universität Potsdam.

    © GDNÄ

    Paul Mühlenhoff, head of the GDNÄ student programme, greets from the 2024 meeting venue on the Griebnitzsee campus of the University of Potsdam. Here, more than a hundred students prepare their performances at the conference.

    Science-Slam auf der 133 Versammlung in Potsdam

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Science is fun: A look into the audience at the ‘Science in 5 minutes’ competition

    Science-Slam auf der 133 Versammlung in Potsdam

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Science in 5 minutes: In a packed lecture theatre at the University of Potsdam, ten pupils and students gave their presentations to be judged by the audience. The topics ranged from innovative wind turbines and laboratory meat to the neglect of diversity in medicine. GDNÄ President Heribert Hofer (on the podium) moderated the evening event.

    Science-Slam auf der 133 Versammlung in Potsdam

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    GDNÄ President Heribert Hofer with the acoustically determined winners of the ‘Science in 5 Minutes’ competition. The decisive factor was the intensity of the applause from the audience, which was also measured by app for the first time. In the centre, first-placed Anne Marie Bobes (18), who presented her project ‘Wind2Light’, to the left of medical students Sebastian Paschen and Moritz Roloff (‘Sick Systems – In Search of Fair Healthcare’, 3rd place). 17-year-old Bielefeld student Felix Gross (right) came second with his contribution on pattern recognition using artificial intelligence.

    Science-Slam auf der 133 Versammlung in Potsdam

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Science is fun: A look into the audience at the ‘Science in 5 minutes’ competition

    Science-Slam auf der 133 Versammlung in Potsdam

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Michael Dröscher, Treasurer and Secretary General of the GDNÄ, with participants of the student programme.

    Science-Slam auf der 133 Versammlung in Potsdam

    © GDNÄ

    Anne Marie Bobes wowed the audience with her development of a wind turbine for street lamps.

    Science-Slam auf der 133 Versammlung in Potsdam

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Deep-sea biologist Dr Stefanie Kaiser was connected via video and captivated the audience with a report on the ‘Aleut Bio’ expedition to the Northwest Pacific.

    Friday, 13 September 2024

    © GDNÄ

    Sought-after discussion partner: Nobel Prize winner Ben L. Feringa – during the coffee break, surrounded by young people .

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Professor Eva-Maria Neher from Göttingen is being honored with the Alexander von Humboldt Medal for her great services to the GDNÄ. To her left is the speaker, Professor Michael Dröscher, and to her right Professor Heribert Hofer.

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Lively and entertaining: Professor André Bardow from ETH Zurich in his plea for a sustainability strategy to transform the industry.

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Nobel Prize winner Ben Feringa during his lecture “The art of building small”, in which he explains the structure and function of molecular machines.

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Professor Katharina Kohse-Höinghaus with Junge-GDNÄ members.

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    The birth of the Young GDNÄ: On the morning of September 13, 2024, GDNÄ President Heribert Hofer announces the founding of a youth organization of his research society.

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    The working group on computer science of the Junge GDNÄ discusses cyber-physical systems and large generative language models such as ChatGPT with the speakers. The round table is being moderated by Professor Peter Liggesmeyer.

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Members of the Young GDNÄ discuss with the speakers of the technology session under the moderation of Professor Katharina Kohse-Höinghaus.

    Saturday, 14 September 2024

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Fully booked Science & Technology Café on the topic of “Storage of renewable energies: What solutions does chemistry offer?”

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Professor Caroline Gutjahr discusses her lecture “Secret helpers underground: How plants work together with mycorrhizal fungi” with conference participants.

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Questions upon questions about the astonishing placebo effect: Toxicology Professor Bernd Kaina from the Mainz University Medical Center (with microphone) pointed out the possible limits of placebo drugs.

    GDNÄ-Tagung 2024 in Potsdam: Ben Feringa © GDNÄ

    © GDNÄ

    Relaxing after a long day at the conference: Ben Feringa in one of Potsdam’s excellent Italian restaurants.

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Exciting, but also challenging: young audience in the biology session.

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Professor Wolfgang Lubitz during his introduction to the chemistry session he organised on Saturday morning.

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Professor Holger Puchta presents the CRISP7Cas gene scissors and discusses current political developments.

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    The public Leopoldina lecture will be given by GDNÄ Vice President and pharmacology professor Martin Lohse on the topic of “Placebo or therapy with nothing”. Martin Lohse stepped in at short notice because the originally planned lecture by Professor Liane Benning on the results of current Arctic research could not take place.

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Great enthusiasm for discussion: Young conference participants surround Martin Lohse after his presentation.

    Sunday, 15 September 2024

    © GDNÄ

    Sunny last day of the meeting: the Griebnitzsee campus is still firmly in GDNÄ hands.

    © GDNÄ

    Light impression from the lecture hall where lectures and discussions of the GDNÄ meetings took place.

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Quantum computers: state of the art – this was the topic of the lecture by Professor Frank Wilhelm-Mauch from Forschungszentrum Jülich.

    © GDNÄ

    Magnetic navigation, quantum computers, new materials: the physics lectures offer plenty to discuss.

    © GDNÄ

    Sunny last day of the meeting: the Griebnitzsee campus is still firmly in GDNÄ hands.

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Self-healing concrete, biological robot drives, drug depots that replenish themselves independently: Professor Wilfried Weber (left, back) was bombarded with questions after his lecture on living materials.

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    The fascinating magnetic navigation system of animals provided plenty to talk about after the lecture by Professor Michael Winklhofer (left).

    © GDNÄ

    Charité Professor Ursula Müller-Werdan talks about facts and myths about healthy living and ageing.

    Media response GDNÄ meeting in Potsdam makes headlines

    Media response

    In dialogue: Potsdam 2024

    Whether on the radio or in newspapers, on websites or in social media: the 133rd GDNÄ Assembly at the University of Potsdam arouses the interest of communicators in the Berlin/Brandenburg region and far beyond. On this page we inform you about previous contributions.

    In September 2024

    Acatech – National Academy of Science and Engineering

    Illustrated summary by Marc-Denis Weitze, acatech, initiator and moderator of the Science & Technology Cafés at the GDNÄ assembly in Potsdam

    >> learn more on acatech.de

    rbb24 Brandenburg aktuell 

    News report and interview with Professor Michael Dröscher

    ChemistryViews

    The organ of the scientific network organisation “Chemistry Europe” reports on the award of the Liebig Medal to Professor Katharina Landfester-

    >> learn more on chemistryviews.org

    :Wissenschaftsregion Bonn

    Report on the 133rd meeting focussing on the foundation of the Young GDNÄ.

    >> learn more on wissenschaftsregion-bonn.de

    LinkedIN

    Professor Anke Kaysser-Pyzalla, DLR Director and designated GDNÄ President, on the meeting in Potsdam and plans for her 2025-2026 term of office.

    >> learn more on LinkedIN

    Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung

    Press release on the election of Professor Ferdi Schüth as GDNÄ Vice President.

    >> learn more on www.kofo.mpg.de

    Bochumer Zeitung

    Detailed presentation of the planned Leopoldina lecture .

    >> learn more in Bochumer Zeitung

    acatech

    “How AI moves us”: Invitation to the Science & Technology Café on 15 September.

    >> learn more on acatech.de

    University of Potsdam

    Detailed news about the GDNÄ meeting.

    >> learn more on www.uni-potsdam.de

    Leopoldina

    Detailed presentation of the planned Leopoldina lecture .

    >> learn more on leopoldina.org

    Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

    Detailed presentation of the planned Leopoldina lecture .

    >> learn more on idw-online.de

    In August 2024

    Helmholtz-Gymnasium Bielefeld

    This is about the GDNÄ interview with Paul Scholand, student scholarship holder from the Helmholtz-Gymnasium.

    >> learn more on helmholtz-bi.de

    Aktivoli – FreiwilligenAkademie

    Reference to the 133rd meeting and announcement of an oral report on 24 September 2024 in Hamburg.

    >> learn more on aktivoli-kurse.hamburg

    :Wissenschaftsregion Bonn

    Detailed announcement of the 133rd meeting.

    >> learn more on wissenschaftsregion-bonn.de

    :Wissenschaftsregion Bonn

    Preliminary report on the GDNÄ Conference 2024, focussing on the Young GDNÄ and the lecture “Healthy living and ageing: Facts and myths”.

    >> learn more on wissenschaftsregion-bonn.de

    Meetingpoint Potsdam

    Announcement of the GDNÄ Conference 2024 with details of the lecture “Healthy living and ageing: Facts and myths”.

    >> learn more on meetingpoint-potsdam.de

    Before Summer 2024

    Fraunhofer IAP + Potsdam Science Park

    Report on the appointment of Professor Alexander Böker, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP in the Potsdam Science Park, as GDNÄ Managing Director for the Business Division.

    >> learn more on www.iap.fraunhofer.de

    >> learn more on potsdam-sciencepark.de

    Impressionen vom Vorbereitungstreffen des Schülerprogramms im Juni 2022 in Leipzig.

    © MIKA-fotografie | Berlin

    Of public interest: high-calibre lectures such as the one given by Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry Ben Feringa at the GDNÄ Assembly 2024 in Potsdam.

    Experience the livestream Conference in Potsdam in real time

    Livestream

    Experience the 2024 Conference in real time

    The Nobel lecture is about tiny molecular machines, the Leopoldina lecture shows how microbes in the Arctic ice are fuelling climate change and the opening ceremony attracts with exciting contributions, music and the awarding of the Alexander von Humboldt Medal. The Young GDNÄ is officially launched in Potsdam and many young people contribute to the success of the conference. Those who attend the 133rd GDNÄ Assembly in Potsdam in person will experience a celebration of science with many highlights.

    But even those who cannot be there are invited to participate in real time, as was the case at the 200th anniversary celebrations in Leipzig in 2022. All lectures in lecture hall H5 at the University of Potsdam, Griebnitzsee campus, will be livestreamed, as will the opening with welcoming speeches on 13 September and the public lectures by Nobel Prize winner in Physics Professor Ben L. Feringa “The art of building small” (Friday, 13 September, 18:00 to 19:30) and Professor Liane G. Benning “The Great Melting – Small Cells, Big Consequences” (Saturday, 14 September, 17:30-19:00).

    The livestream is free of charge; no special technical requirements are necessary. A digital device and a good internet connection are all you need to watch live:

    Note: The video recordings of presentations and other contributions, which will be posted on the GDNÄ’s own video channel after the 133rd Assembly and will also be available free of charge, can be used permanently.

    Campus Griebnitzsee der Universität Potsdam © K. Fritze

    © K. Fritze

    The 133rd GDNÄ Assembly will take place in the main building of the Griebnitzsee campus of the University of Potsdam.

    Further information: