We are looking for girls and boys who enjoy math and science and want to make a difference with their microchip ideas. "No previous knowledge of chip design is necessary for this competition," explains VDE CEO Ansgar Hinz. "Anyone who applies with a good idea for a future worth living will be given the knowledge they need to implement it in the practical part of our competition, which takes place at Leibniz University in Hanover." In addition to answering 20 questions on digitalization and microchips, the focus of the current round of the competition is on young people's practical chip ideas.

The competition is aimed at students in grades 8 to 13 at secondary and vocational schools throughout Germany. Young people have until March 31, 2019 to submit their chip ideas. In 2018, over 2,000 pupils took part in the competition. They impressed the jury with the use of microchips in everyday life - for strained spines, the smart workplace in the mobile office or secure encryption with random numbers:

After the closing date, the jury will evaluate the questionnaires and select the ten best ideas. The selected students will then be invited to a workshop at the Institute of Microelectronic Systems at Leibniz Universität Hannover from May 2 to 5, 2019. They will learn the individual steps of chip development from professionals: they will read sensors, control actuators and learn how to implement their projects with freely programmable logic gates. They will then continue working on their chip developments alone or in a team until September 15, 2019. The experts are always available to answer questions. The young people will also exchange ideas with each other in an online forum. The best and most original designs will be presented and awarded prizes in October at the Microsystems Technology Congress in Berlin in front of experts from the worlds of business, science and politics. In addition to attractive cash prizes, the winners can expect contacts with industry and universities as well as trade fair presentations or internships. "We have seen for many years that our award winners go on to study in the field of future technologies," says VDE Chairman Ansgar Hinz.