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Modern sensors can help simplify our daily lives or increase quality or security. What
innovative ideas can be implemented using modern technology in a beneficial manner? 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 students and teachers.
1. Participants and target group:
18 teams from Europe. If there are more applications, lots will be drawn for places.
The target group is students at upper secondary level and teachers of 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 students and teachers (advisors and supervisors) should produce a
functioning model to solve the scientific task they have selected. They should do so
as creatively as possible, using experiments and their own choice of sensors. The aim is to
build something that is as innovative, artistic or surprising as possible. Interdisciplinary
cooperation has the greatest potential to produce interesting results for one of the sub-sections
into which the following task is divided.
The task:
We are looking for innovative sensor applications in the following three areas:
- Task I: Security
How could sensors be used innovatively to increase security?
- Task II: Quality
We are looking for a creative model that would see sensors used for quality assurance or
quality optimisation purposes.
- Task III: Simplification
How can sensors "help out" in our daily lives ("simplify your life")?
Any type of sensor can be selected, e.g. optical sensors, magnetic sensors, temperature sensors,
pressure, sound, etc.
The competition criteria:
Submissions will be assessed according to the criteria listed on an evaluation form. These are
the project concept, presentation, product results and practical benefit. The form will be
distributed by the kick-off meeting at the latest.
Applications will be accepted from teams consisting of about four students and two teachers. For
the submission, the teachers should develop an interdisciplinary teaching concept or a curriculum
module that can be used interdisciplinary. This is then put into practice together with the
students in the school.
The groups first introduce their project ideas at a joint kick-off meeting, and later present
the results which they obtained from producing their functional models, e.g. calculations,
experiments, papers, etc. at a joint closing event. All presentations are given in English. A jury
selects the best projects, possibly with the help of all the participants, and the teams receive a
certificate 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 – 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 the responsibility of Science on Stage Deutschland e.V. (see
below).
3. Schedule:
Phase 1 - Preparation: August - End of November 2010
August 2010: Letters sent out to schools in North Rhine Westphalia (NRW) and in
neighbouring European countries. The
closing date for entries is 5 October 2010.
A first meeting will take place at he premises of one of the partner companies on 26
November 2010 at 2.00 p.m.. During this
kick-off meeting, all the teams will present their projects in English and there
will be an opportunity for a tour of the company.
Phase 2 - Implementation: December - April 2011
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 2011
The results will be presented to the public in English at a
closing event to be held on 13 May. A jury will award prizes for the best
projects.
Phase 4 - Follow-up: 2011
The results will be published so that other teachers can make use of the projects. Cooperation
between the schools, the businesses and sales partners and Science on Stage Deutschland e.V. can
continue.
4. Incentives for schools to participate:
- The opportunity to exchange ideas with schools from other countries;
- Contact with businesses (careers advice, 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.
- Certificates for the winners
- Certificates for participants
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