During the awards ceremony, the jury praised the Matura students’ interesting choice of topics, as well as their commitment, creativity and perseverance in carrying out their projects. The outstanding quality of the work and the scientific curiosity of the award winners were also highlighted.

First place in the Biology category this year went to Johannes Schuller from the Bundesrealgymnasium Steyr for his project ‘Microbial growth on 3D-printed surfaces: the case of artificial bones’, for which he regularly took and analysed samples himself. Anna Engleder from the Europagymnasium vom Guten Hirten Baumgartenberg wrote her ABA entitled ‘On the paradigm shift brought about by the Michelson–Morley experiment’ and won first prize in the physics category. Paul Kern explored the question of how galvanic cells – that is, cells that function on the principle of a battery or rechargeable cell – can be made from everyday objects. For this, he was awarded first prize in the chemistry category.

In the computer science category, Iris Andlinger from the BG/BRG Wels Brucknerstraße was awarded first prize. She examined the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence in everyday school life.

Being awarded a Dr Hans Riegel-Award is not only a recognition of the outstanding achievements of the prize-winners, but also gives the nine winners access to the MINT TANK network, a comprehensive alumni programme that offers them additional support, networking opportunities and interdisciplinary events.