Dr Marc Alexander Bauch has supervised more than 140 Jugend-forscht projects in twenty years. A remarkable commitment, for which the maths and computer science teacher has now been honoured with the Klaus von Klitzing Prize.
When Marc Alexander Bausch took part in "Jugend forscht" for the first time as a schoolboy in 1986, he had one thought in mind: he wanted to make this extraordinary experience possible for others. Thirty years later, the now 45-year-old can look back on over 140 school projects that have made it to Europe's largest youth competition in the field of science and technology with his support. At Hermeskeil secondary school in Rhineland-Palatinate, he created the framework for this with the Jugend-forscht-AG - and at the same time implemented a successful STEM education centre in a rather rural region.
He has now been honoured for this commitment with the Klaus von Klitzing Prize: Bauch received the award, which is endowed with 15,000 euros, during a ceremony at the Graf Anton Günther School in Oldenburg on Tuesday. Professor Klaus von Klitzing, who gave the prize its name and won the Nobel Prize for Physics, once again presented the award in person: "Senior student Dr Marc Alexander Bauch impressed the jury with his outstanding professional qualifications as well as his team spirit and above-average commitment outside of regular lessons," he said, explaining the decision. In addition to von Klitzing, the jury includes representatives from the University of Oldenburg, the EWE Foundation and the headmaster of Graf-Anton-Günther-Schule, Wolfgang Schoedel. For the second time, the jury was particularly enriched by a student juror, this year Johanna Holberg.
Beating 28 applicants
For him, the award was "like an Oscar for a lifetime's work", Bauch explained with obvious delight during his acceptance speech. "The obligation to promote enthusiasm for science - that could also be my motto in life," he continued, picking up on a quote from Klitzing. He thanked his students in particular.
The prize, which the University of Oldenburg and the EWE Foundation have been awarding in co-operation for the past fourteen years, recognises outstanding commitment in the STEM subjects - Mathematics, Computing Science, Natural Sciences and Technology. Bauch prevailed against 28 applicants from all over Germany.
The 45-year-old has repeatedly interrupted his teaching career, sometimes for doctoral studies, sometimes for further education in the USA. He has successfully incorporated the experience he has gained into his professional and non-professional activities, has been successful in many competitions with his students and has been honoured with several national and international awards.
Bringing science and research into the everyday lives of children and young people
Bauch has succeeded in an impressive way in getting pupils of all ages - namely those in years 5 to 13 - interested in Computing Science and Mathematics, explained Prof Dr Dr Hans Michael Piper, President of the University of Oldenburg. "His dedication is just as remarkable as his outstanding teaching skills. He works across school boundaries and has an excellent network in his region. This enables him to bring science and research into the everyday lives of children and young people. As a university that is committed to research-oriented teaching and learning, we are particularly pleased about this." Prof. Dr Meinhard Simon, Vice President for Research and Transfer, emphasised at the award ceremony that introducing schoolchildren to science at an early age is the key to the future of a region.
Marion Rövekamp, Chairwoman of the EWE Foundation, added: "The Klitzing Prize has succeeded in emphasising the importance of teachers for the educational and professional biographies of our children. At the same time, the award emphasises the importance of STEM disciplines for our educational, economic and scientific system."
Klaus von Klitzing spent the early years of his school career in Oldenburg. Today, he is Director at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research in Stuttgart and an honorary member of the International Solvay Institute. In 1980, he discovered a new quantum effect and was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1985. The Von Klitzing constant named after him is now used to define the unit of measurement ohm of electrical resistance. His discovery had a significant influence on modern semiconductor development and precision measurement technology. In 2006, he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Oldenburg.