(Frankfurt a. M./Schweinfurt, 24.07.2025) A great success for the Alexander-von-Humboldt-Gymnasium in Schweinfurt and the region: The school has achieved second place in the nationwide INVENT a CHIP competition (German version) on the topic of microchips and future energy, securing prize money of 750 euros. The VDE Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies organizes the competition every year with the support of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). The aim is to familiarize schoolchildren with the future technology of microchips and to get them excited about the world of technology.
This year, a total of 1,046 young people aged between 14 and 19 from 147 schools submitted solutions to the tricky questions in the INVENT a CHIP quiz. First place in the school prize went to the Schloss Hansenberg boarding school in Geisenheim and third place to Leibniz-Gymnasium in Dormagen.
Brains required – understanding microchips
The young people started the competition with brains and curiosity: they had to research, calculate and understand technical relationships. The aim was to find out what significance microchips have for our society – for example for climate protection, digitalization, healthcare and modern communication. The 60 pupils in Year 9 at Alexander-von-Humboldt-Gymnasium calculated the energy consumption of ChatGPT requests, for example, and looked at the control of wind turbines or inverters in solar systems.
VDE award for strong commitment to technical education
Dr. Anja Weisgerber, Member of the German Bundestag, is delighted as a former graduate of the school about this award, which recognizes not only the dedication of the students but also the long-standing commitment of the teaching staff: “As a former student, I am very proud that my alma mater can once again celebrate such a great success. My special thanks go to the VDE as the organizer of the competition, the supervising teacher, Mr. Langhans, and all the dedicated students who enthusiastically devoted themselves to the project and the futureoriented topics of microelectronics and energy.” Addressing the students, she said: "The prize money of €750 is certainly a great reward for your hard work, but even more valuable is the knowledge you have acquired, the interest you have shown in future technologies, and the commitment you have demonstrated to our society. Dear students, I wish you continued success in your future endeavors. Stay curious and, above all, remain such an engaged part of our society."
Also the VDE was impressed by the achievements of the young talents. Julian Marberger, Head of VDE Bavaria, personally presented the certificate on site with his colleague Werner Battke. "The pupils of the Alexander-von-Humboldt-Gymnasium have impressively demonstrated how much curiosity and innovative strength there is in the young generation. Congratulations and many thanks for this great commitment." Technical education is particularly important for an industrial region like Schweinfurt, continued Marberger: "Committed schools with motivated teachers are the backbone of STEM education. They make technology tangible and awaken young talents who will shape our future."
STEM education that inspires
One person who is committed to STEM is teacher Rainer Langhans. He teaches physics and mathematics at the Alexander-von-Humboldt-Gymnasium in Schweinfurt and offers a supraregional electronics course for sixth and seventh graders, in which they build simple electronic circuits such as alarm systems and staircase lighting. As part of the school's Junior Engineer Academy, he leads another electronics course for ninth graders that deals with topics such as the simulation of logic circuits – which is how the idea to participate in INVENT a CHIP came about.
"The questions from the competition allow the students to delve deeper into the topic and focus on specific applications of microchips," explains Langhans. What is particularly exciting is how even initially less motivated pupils can be "activated" by the practical approach and the prospect of winning. "This strengthens stamina," Langhans continues.
