"An incredible achievement!"

Pondered, improvised, tested, optimized… and finally documented, submitted, and presented. When Helena Krüger, a high school senior at the Christian-Weise-Gymnasium in Zittau, “served” her first shuttlecock in the Laboratory for Fluid Mechanics & Fluid Power Machines at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of our Zittau University of Applied Sciences/Görlitz, with her shuttlecocks, it was initially impossible to foresee where this resulting collaboration might lead.

“It quickly became clear, however, just how much passion and dedication she puts into combining her hobby of badminton with her advanced physics course,” enthuses Felix Rothe. The laboratory engineer for fluid mechanics and fluid power machines supported Helena from the very beginning in carrying out her special learning project (BELL). She has now won the state competition “Jugend forscht 2024” in the field of physics and has taken home a total of three special prizes: one each from the Saxon Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, and Carl Zeiss AG. “Alongsideher ‘ ’ high school diploma and sports, this is truly an enormous achievement,” the laboratory engineer says with conviction.

In her project, “Investigation of the Dynamic Longitudinal Stability of Different Badminton Shuttlecock Models,” the 18-year-old high school student researched the aerodynamic properties of various badminton shuttlecocks. “More specifically, Helena investigated the pitch and roll behavior of two new types of badminton shuttlecocks—the hybrid and carbon shuttlecocks —using torque measurement and a high-speed camera, comparing them to the already known behavior of synthetic and natural badminton shuttlecocks in our free-jet wind tunnel. She analyzed the measurements, created diagrams, and compared the results with her research,” reports Felix Rothe. This led to new scientific insights into aerodynamics, which Helena first presented in early March at the East Saxony regional competition of “Jugend forscht 2024.” With her strong presentation, she impressed the jury, won first place, and thereby earned an invitation to the state finals on March 23 in Dresden.

Felix Rothe recounts that day: “Helena’s presentation to the jury took place at 9:30 a.m. After chemistry and biology, it was now physics’ turn. To make a long story short: Helena won, tied for first place with another contestant, received the golden ticket, and will travel to Heilbronn on May 30 for the national finals.” She also received three special prizes. When the results were announced, “Team Zittau”—consisting of Helena’s parents, her boyfriend, her teacher, and Felix Rothe with his two children—cheered so loudly that the host couldn’t resist asking, “Wow, who did you bring along?” Helena’s reply: “The whole gang.”

“A group has indeed formed here,” says Felix Rothe happily, “andwhat’s more, a wonderful, successful collaboration between her, the‘ ’ at Christian-Weise-Gymnasium Zittau, and the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences.”Helena’s group is ready for the next steps. If they succeed in Heilbronn, their next goal might be the international competition in Los Angeles. We’re excited to see what happens.

Text: Cornelia Rothe and Felix Rothe