STUDENT PROGRAM

At each meeting, the GDNÄ welcomes up to 150 students. These are usually the best students from advanced science courses in upper secondary schools. To find them, school principals in the vicinity of the next meeting location are asked to submit nominations for the student program. From the submissions, the GDNÄ selects a group of students who are awarded a WE-Heraeus student scholarship. This offers privileged access to the next meeting: all costs are covered and, in addition to comprehensive study advice from professors, there is also a special supporting program. Participation in the student program is confirmed with a certificate.

The trip to the GDNÄ is an unforgettable experience for many scholarship holders, as interviews with Elly Bastian and Jonathan Fratz show. The fact that it runs so smoothly is mainly thanks to Paul Mühlenhoff, who has been coordinating the student program for many years.

Former student scholarship holders who have taken up studies in natural sciences, medicine or technology can apply for a travel scholarship to attend a GDNÄ meeting. The scholarship covers travel expenses and participation fees. Interested parties should apply directly to the GDNÄ, preferably by email to the GDNÄ office.

‘So much talent and commitment’

Experienced educator Paul Mühlenhoff heads the GDNÄ’s student program. In this interview, he describes how the young people are selected, what they can expect at the scientists’ meeting – and why his work is so fascinating.

It’s spring, Mr Mühlenhoff, and you’re in the middle of preparations for the next student program. How do you go about it?

PM: We start about a year before the meeting and select suitable schools around the conference venue. The students should not have to travel more than two and a half hours – that’s an important criterion. We then write to the school principals and ask for suggestions. Each school may nominate up to four candidates between the ages of 16 and 20. We usually invite around 500 schools to participate in the scholarship program.

How many nominations do you receive on average?

PM: We usually receive between 200 and 250 short proposals. From this group, we select 150 students who have excelled in science subjects and demonstrated social commitment.

What can the selected students expect?

PM: An all-inclusive package for four days and three nights. Everything is included, from youth hostel accommodation and meals to travel expenses and other events. The students receive free access to the scientific lectures. We are also organising a high-calibre study advice session for the whole group. Professors from the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, computer science and medicine will present their own careers and answer individual questions. On the last day, the students will gain direct insights into the world of science during laboratory tours.

Can you give an example?

PM: At the last meeting in Saarbrücken in 2018, we were able to give participants access to various research institutes. Topics related to artificial intelligence were in high demand. At the meeting in Würzburg in 2020, we plan to hold a workshop to introduce participants to the fascinating possibilities of modern, handy and powerful microscopes.

Is anything expected in return from the students?

PM: No. The scholarship is awarded without conditions. However, anyone who wishes to contribute to the program is welcome to do so – for example, in the ‘Science in 5 Minutes’ event, a kind of science slam by students for students. The aim is to present a research topic in a comprehensible and entertaining way in five minutes. Anyone can make suggestions, and we then select seven to eight topics and provide assistance with the presentations. It’s quite exciting to give a presentation like that in front of 150 other scholarship holders.

What topics are covered?

PM: It’s a mixed bag. One question was whether stars can die, another was whether plants can kill us in our sleep. The slams are often quite funny.

What role do you play in all this?

PM: I’m involved from start to finish, from the first invitation letter to the final report to the Heraeus Foundation, which makes the program possible through its generous support. During the gathering, I stay with the participants in the youth hostel, organise transport and meals, and am available for anything they need. I am supported by eight tutors, two of whom are always present.

That’s a lot of work. What motivates you?

PM: All the great young people. So much talent and commitment, enthusiasm and gratitude – that makes up for all the hard work. After four days with these students, you no longer worry about the future of our country. The program is only really work every two years, and my headmaster supports me as much as he can.

You have been involved in the student program for almost ten years. What trends have you observed?

PM: The students are clearly becoming more open to computer science. It has become a basic discipline for many subjects. And even more than in the early years, the students stay connected with each other via social networks. They are happy to have finally found like-minded people and spur each other on.

One final question: you often refer to ‘we’. Who do you mean by that?

PM: I am referring primarily to Professor Eva-Maria Neher, the long-standing director of XLAB, the Göttingen experimental laboratory for young people. Ms Neher is very committed to the GDNÄ, and with her help I was able to set up the student program and make it what it is today.

‘So many like-minded people’

Elly Bastian took part in the 2018 meeting in Saarbrücken as a school student. She was 16 years old at the time and came from the Goethe Gymnasium in Gaggenau, Baden.

Ms Bastian, what did you have to do to become a student scholarship holder?

EB: My physics teacher at the time asked me during my tenth year at school if I was interested in the program. When I said yes, he recommended me and a few weeks later I received confirmation. It was a great honour to be selected.

The meeting in Saarbrücken to which you were invited was about artificial intelligence. Was that a topic you were familiar with?

EB: I hadn’t really looked into it much before then. But we were given an outline of the program beforehand, which gave me the opportunity to find out a little bit about it in advance.

Did that help you understand the lectures?

EB: Definitely. Nevertheless, there were a few very specialised presentations that were a bit too much for me. For example, the presentations on quantum physics were very challenging: the subject was completely new to me at the time. But then I found what I heard about it in Saarbrücken so exciting that I suggested it as a topic for my physics class. We actually ended up studying it.

It’s been two years since you received the student scholarship: what do you remember most about it?

EB: It was just great to meet so many young people who were interested in science. You don’t usually get that at your own school. The whole package was fantastic: we were able to take part in everything, had a cultural program with ballet and concerts, and stayed in a lovely youth hostel. We weren’t forced to do anything; everything was voluntary. If we students had questions after the lectures, the scientists answered them in detail. They were happy that we were there – we were integrated into the entire gathering.

Are there any wishes you have that haven’t been fulfilled?

EB: Hmm, maybe some of the lectures could be made easier to understand. I would also like to see more advice offered to students. In any case, I benefited greatly from the direct contact with the scientists.

Did the student program influence your choice of study?

EB: I was already pretty sure that I wanted to study mathematics. The experiences in the program reinforced that decision.

What has become of the many new contacts you made?

EB: The WhatsApp group we set up in Saarbrücken still exists, and I’m in direct contact with some of the people in the group. I’d love to see it develop into a network of like-minded people – school pupils, students and scientists.

‘There was a sparkle in their eyes’

Jonathan Fratz comes from Bad Homburg. In 2018, he was nominated by the local Humboldt School for the GDNÄ student program.

Mr Fratz, how did you get involved in the student program for the 130th GDNÄ meeting in Saarbrücken?

JF: I was taking an introductory chemistry course at my school at the time. My chemistry teacher recommended me and I was selected. Luckily.

Can you describe that luck in more detail?

JF: It was just an incredibly enriching experience. What I particularly liked was how willing the professors were to talk and that you could have interesting conversations with practically every participant at the meeting. It was also great to meet other students who are interested in scientific topics. I am still in contact with some of the group.

Were there any other special highlights for you?

JF: I had two key experiences in Saarbrücken. One was when a scientist had to cancel and a colleague picked up her topic overnight and gave a very good presentation. I found that impressive, both professionally and personally. The other experience I had was after a lecture on quantum computers. I went up to the front with some other students and asked a few questions. The professor answered in detail – I’ll never forget the sparkle in his eyes.

 Did you also attend the career counselling sessions with scientists?

JF: Yes, of course – I took part in everything. I had already had career counselling at school, but that was just general information. At the GDNÄ, I gained realistic insights into career paths from experienced scientists and institute directors.

You say you took part in practically everything. What else was worthwhile?

JF: I found the projects that other students presented at the conference very, very exciting. For example, there was one who measured nitrogen oxide pollution at an intersection in Darmstadt and compared it with official measurements. This revealed some interesting discrepancies, which we discussed.

Are there any things that could be done better?

JF: I would like it if the students got to know each other better. One could organise a get-together at the beginning and then work together more in small groups. In the future, I would like to see regular alumni meetings to further expand the network.

As a participant in the student program, you have become a member of the Society of German Natural Scientists and Physicians for two years. Is that it for you?

JF: I definitely want to stay involved and contribute to the further development of the GDNÄ. Even though I will probably study law rather than chemistry.