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Energy is one of the key issues of our era in Europe. Although we know that the existing energy
in the world will never be lost, we also know that when it is converted, a part is always produced
that is no longer available to us. Thus, the question is how can we efficiently use, transform and
retrieve the various forms of energy. This topic provides plenty of opportunity for innovative,
interesting and practical lessons and is the perfect way to publicise this interdisciplinary
scientific project for European schoolchildren and teachers.
1. Participants and target group:
Twelve teams from Europe. If there are more applications, lots will be drawn for places.
The target group is schoolchildren at upper secondary level and teachers or Science and other
subjects (English, Sport, Art, etc.). Groups drawn from different age groups and disciplines are
expressly encouraged.
2. Tasks and competition criteria:
Each team of schoolchildren and teachers (advisors and supervisors) should produce a model and
solve scientific tasks in a creative way. The point is to build something innovative, artistic or
surprising. Interdisciplinary cooperation has the greatest potential to produce interesting results
for the following tasks.
- Task I: Energy retrieval
Invent a mechanism that would make it possible to use the energy “ wasted” on a daily basis:
energy from noise/sound, energy from movement (e.g. shock absorbers), etc.
- Task II: Energy efficiency
We are looking for a proposal to optimise an everyday energy “ consumer”, thus enabling
savings.
- Task III: Energy transformation chain
We are looking for a creative and surprising model of a chain reaction that can be used to
demonstrate different forms of energy and their sequential transformation.
Submissions will be assessed according to the criteria listed on the enclosed evaluation form.
These are generally creativity, usefulness, presentation and applicability in the classroom.
Applications will be accepted from teams consisting of about 4 schoolchildren and 2 teachers.
The teachers should develop an interdisciplinary teaching concept for the submission. This is then
put into practice together with the children in the school.
The projects and the results produced, e.g. models, calculations, experiments, papers, etc.
shall be presented by the groups in English in a joint opening and closing event. A jury will
select the best projects, possibly with the help of all the participants, and the teams will
receive prizes in recognition of their participation.
During the project phase, the project partners – Lenord, Bauer & Co. GmbH, Clyde Bergemann
GmbH, Grunewald GmbH & Co. KG, Probat Werke von Gimborn Maschinenfabrik GmbH – will provide
practical advice and technical support (e.g. by providing materials). To facilitate communication,
participants from outside Germany will receive support from sales partners of the various
companies. Overall coordination is a matter for Science on Stage Deutschland e.V. (see below).
3. Schedule:
Phase 1 - Preparation: August - December 2009
August 2009: Circulars will be sent to schools in North Rhine Westphalia (NRW) and in
neighbouring European countries. The closing date for entries is 9 October 2009.
A first meeting will take place in Oberhausen on 11 December 2009 at 2.00 p.m.. During this
opening event, all the teams will present their projects in English and there will be an
opportunity for a tour of the businesses.
Phase 2 - Implementation: January - April 2010
The school teams will work on the project in their schools. This phase involves collaboration
with the businesses as necessary. Interim reports will be produced to document the projects. If
possible, the schools should communicate with the organisers by e-mail. Ms. Schlunk and Ms. Schulze
(Science on Stage Deutschland e.V.) will act as contacts for the schools.
Phase 3 - Presentation: May 2010
The results will be presented to the public in English at a closing event to be held in
Oberhausen on 7 May. A jury will award prizes for the best projects.
Phase 4 - Follow-up: 2010
The results will be published so that other teachers can learn from the projects. Cooperation
between the schools, the businesses and sales partners and Science on Stage Deutschland e.V. can be
continued.
4. Incentives for schools:
- The opportunity to exchange ideas with schools from other countries;
- Contact with businesses (career guidance, work placements, development of expertise while
teaching, etc.);
- An interesting, unusual and practical teaching concept;
- Practical advice and technical support (e.g. provision of materials in consultation with the
companies) from the companies.
- Prizes for the winners
- Certificates for participants
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