Exciting scientific competitions among high school graduates and self-driving robots in Zittau.
"I can hear your heart beating all the way here," said Prof. Dietmar Scharf from the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, welcoming almost 50 students last weekend. The students from the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany took part in the 21st International Electrical Engineering Olympiad "Neisse-Elektro". The majority of the students are about to take their Abitur exams. The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science' had called for the final competition. For ninety minutes, the students pondered, calculated and solved tricky tasks from the field of electrical engineering. While the teachers evaluated the invigilated examination, the groups of students followed the exciting supporting program, including a demonstration of self-driving robots.
Various schools from the district (BSZ Zittau, Löbau and Bautzen, Gymnasium Löbau) competed with their teams. Plate-sized robots with distance sensors, rechargeable batteries, a control unit and three powered wheels were to be guided through a labyrinth. It was exciting for the spectators to watch the robots navigate through the corridors with their sensors. Some robots made purposeful progress, others seemed to drive back and forth somewhat haphazardly. What initially sounds like a game can, however, be the start of a productive and educational activity for the pupils.
There are many devices in our everyday lives that combine mechanics, electronics, software and communication. Companies in trade and industry are looking for talented and enthusiastic people who are future-oriented, take on responsibility and break new ground in their companies. The university is happy to support young people on their path by providing a good, solid education.
Prof. Kästner then gave a vivid demonstration of what chaos has to do with automation. His entertaining presentation made it clear that even correctly functioning systems can assume seemingly chaotic states. Interesting patterns such as the fig tree diagram or the apple bread man emerge from the graphical illustration.
The award ceremony in the town hall was eagerly awaited.
Who from the three countries came out on top? Was their own preparation for the Olympics worthwhile?
After a few words from the rector of the university, Prof. Friedrich Albrecht, and a greeting from the main sponsor, VDE Bezirksverein Dresden e.V. (represented at the award ceremony by Prof. Herbert Kindler), the winners were announced.
The team competition was won by the Czech Republic.
The individual winners were:
1st place Anton Lorenz from the Joliot-Curie-Gymnasium in Görlitz
2nd place Maik Punke from the Christian-Weber-Gymnasium in Görlitz. Maik Punke from Christian-Weise-Gymnasium in Zittau and
3rd place Vojtech Scholz from Gymnasium Liberec in the Czech Republic.
The three winners want to study physics, media informatics and electrical engineering respectively. The value of school education became clear when asked about their preparation: all three stated that they had only been prepared for the Olympics through their school lessons. This should be seen as praise and thanks for the teachers, who invest in the students' education and are also very committed to Neisse-Elektro.
The Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science wish the students every success in the upcoming Abitur examinations and much joy and success in their subsequent studies!