A new round of the "Jugend forscht" youth science competition is being held in 2005 under the motto "The next level".

Once again, school students and apprentices have the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity and imagination in one of seven areas: world of work, biology, chemistry, earth and space science, math/IT, physics and technology.

13 regional heats are being held in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, and this year again ThyssenKrupp is sponsoring three of them. The Company sees this as a continuation of its "Discovering Future Technology" initiative aimed at helping change attitudes in society to promote a technology-friendly climate and encourage people to see innovation as an opportunity rather than a threat. The objective is to get young people interested in training and studying for careers in science and technology.

The first heat on February 16 will be hosted by ThyssenKrupp AG and the Düsseldorf Chamber of Commerce at the ThyssenKrupp headquarters. A second heat will be held on February 25 at ThyssenKrupp AG`s Info-Center in Dortmund. Finally, on March 02 young researchers will present their ideas to the jury at the Duisburg-Hamborn training center of ThyssenKrupp Stahl AG.

The "Jugend forscht" competition is open to anyone aged 21 or under resident in Germany or attending a German school. University students can take part provided they began their studies in the year they registered for the competition. Apprentices can also participate.

Naturally there are prizes to be won: in each round of the competition, numerous sponsors and donors provide cash prizes as well as research and study trips. Winners of the regional heats can go on to take part in the state or even national stages of the competition. Participants establish valuable contacts with experts and profit from an exchange of experience with like-minded young people. Their work is judged by jurors from the fields of science, business and education.

For more information, go to the "Stiftung Jugend forscht" website at www.jugend-forscht.de (German only).

Summaries of the projects are available here:
A short version of the projects entered for the Dortmund competition
A short version of the projects entered for the Düsseldorf competition

Contact:

Klaus Pepperhoff
Corporate Communications, Strategy, and Executive Affairs
Telephone +49 211 824-36007
Fax +49 211 824-36041
E-mail: presse@thyssenkrupp.com