Pupils Award 2008

Less young people show an interest in natural sciences and engineering topics. So it is all the more important that universities and enterprises do not just sit and watch these developments, but instead already at schools get in touch with pupils to draw their attention to a certain study or vocational field. This is exactly what the University of Paderborn did in cooperation with regional companies and also the CLAAS Foundation. Pupils of the age of 14 -16 years received a recognition for their great performances in natural science subjects and were very proud of these praising comments.

Getting hands on combine harvesters is not everyday business at schools. 50 pupils had the chance to do this on the “Day of Agricultural Engineering” at CLAAS in Harsewinkel. This year’s winners of the Pupils Award, presented by the University of Paderborn and also supported by the CLAAS Foundation, come from 20 schools out of the region Hochstift around Paderborn.

The Day of Agricultural Engineering was to make the pupils see that „it is worthwhile to show interest in natural science subjects and bring home good grades” says Sylvia Looks, director of the CLAAS Foundation. After a multimedia show and presentations the pupils could have a closer look at the agricultural machinery and listened to the explanations of the well-experienced CLAAS staff. Afterwards, the pupils took part in a competition on CLAAS and agriculture where they discovered the potential of agricultural engineering and its role in the future societal challenges. „It is unbelievable what agriculture and agricultural engineering all involves“, states one of the pupils.

The young scientists were busy pondering about various questions: How is the increasing world population to be fed? Can the usage of bio-energy stop the climate change? And which answers does agriculture offer to all these questions?

In this competition all pupils gave the correct answers, so the winner had to be drawn. One of the present teachers finally hit the jackpot. He won a remote-controlled model of the XERION tractor which will be integrated in school lessons.

But also the pupils picked up a lot on this day: plenty of new impressions and ideas and the awareness that agricultural engineering is a fascinating application area for natural sciences.

Arrival at the Technoparc of CLAAS in Harsewinkel – this is where the "Day of agriculture" started.

The junior researchers learnt a lot about the options in modern agricultural engineering...

As there were so many correct answers in the knowledge competition, Heinrich Pieper, CLAAS factory guide, made the lucky draw on the winner.

The winner is a teacher who is going to use the remote-controlled XERION tractor during school lessons.

He was in for a round of applause!

Getting a grip on agricultural machinery...

... this is how an interesting day ended for the curious pupils ...

 ... the "Day of agricultural engineering".