Mayor Dr. Maximilian Bieri Congratulates Award-Winning Research Teams from the Kathinka-Platzhoff Foundation
Hanau's young innovators win top prizes at Jugend forscht with brainwave tech and green plastics
A major success for the young researchers of Hanau's Kathinka-Platzhoff Foundation: At the state-level "Jugend forscht junior" competition in Kassel, the "Neuropong" team was crowned state champion in the Working World category. Meanwhile, the "Green and Durable" team received the Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Special Prize from the Federal Ministry for the Environment for their work advancing bio-based plastic films.
"I warmly congratulate both teams on this outstanding achievement and am deeply impressed by their work," said Mayor Dr. Maximilian Bieri, who had the Hanau students explain their projects to him. "With creativity, perseverance, and scientific curiosity, they have developed projects that can make an impact far beyond the competition. Their success demonstrates what young people can accomplish when they seize opportunities and unlock their potential. Moreover, their victory strengthens Hanau's reputation as an innovative hub for education and research."
The "Neuropong" team—Klara von Hauff (12) and Liam Lang (14)—explored how brainwave-controlled gaming could help people with disabilities overcome barriers. By measuring levels of concentration, tension, and relaxation, they adapted the classic Pong video game (a table tennis simulation) to move the paddles up and down. Mayor Dr. Bieri, a mathematician with a doctorate, examined the application's programming and even played a test round.
The "Green and Durable" team—Duy Nam Schlitz, Leo Reimer, and Konstantin Wolf (all 14)—won the Federal Ministry for the Environment's Special Prize for optimizing bio-based plastic films. Their goal remains clear even after the competition: to bring these sustainable materials to industrial market readiness.
"Children and young people need opportunities to channel their curiosity and develop it under guidance," emphasized Bieri, who also serves as Hanau's school superintendent. "For this, we owe great thanks to the Kathinka-Platzhoff Foundation, which—through its diverse programs and close collaboration with Hanau's schools—makes these opportunities possible."
The foundation's website (*www.kp-stiftung.de*) offers a wide range of courses, workshops, and open programs in robotics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, biology, and more for curious young minds and their parents.
All offerings are open to those eager to ask questions, experiment with new ideas, and turn their own concepts into real projects—no prior knowledge required.
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