Eureka: Expanding Horizons Campaign

Mission statement:
We would like to represent our school in the Barcelona International Youth Science Challenge (BIYSC ) in July 2017, a 2-week science research competition that aims to stimulate scientific talent among young students from all over the world. We will shoot an inspiring documentary about our experience with the program to motivate other students to advance in the field of science.

Who is the Eureka Team:
A group of students from ISHR (International School Hannover Region), Germany. While we all have different ethnic backgrounds (Germany, USA, India, Romania), all of us share the same passion for science, specifically in the fields of biomedicine, physics, robotics, astronomy, and chemistry. All of us are contributors and co-founders of the science journal Eureka at our school.


What we need sponsorship for:
To cover tuition to participate in the Barcelona International Youth Science Challenge 2017 (BIYSC), a science competition limited to 100 participants that we have already been admitted to [from a large pool of applicants] and in which each of us joins a small research team to tackle scientific and technological challenges posed by international research centers like the Institute of High Energy Physics (IFAE), who are involved in cutting-edge research.

“BIYSC is a two-week international excellence program that has been designed and developed with the aim to offer the participants a world-class experience by working in research projects, attending scientific lectures and debates, and enjoying the company of peers from around the world that share their same passion.” - Catalunya-la Pedrera Foundation

The projects that we would participate in are:  

Pramoth Arun: DNA: using sequencing to explore evolution and biodiversity
Benjamin Kilimnik: DETECTA: measuring cosmic rays from the universe
Ramona Luncan: Neuro-robotics as a tool to understand the brain
Leon Rinke: NanoLight: light and matter at the nanoscale
Clara Stache: Instructive biomaterials for regenerative medicine

Where the funds go:
We have less than a month (until May 31st) to raise 10,000 euros. The participation fee is 2,000 euros per person, which includes accommodation, meals, equipment used in each of the projects, activities and programmed visits, transportation to the research centers, lecturers and staff, and accident and civil responsibility insurance.   

Why Eureka:
By participating in BIYSC, we want to prove that we as students can make a difference in the world of science. Our team wonders how many students are aware that such educational opportunities are within their reach. Information is more accessible than it was ever before, yet many students are discouraged by the - in their eyes - incomprehensible complexities that the world of scientific research presents.  Our documentary will aim to illustrate our experiences and demonstrate that such opportunities are within the reach of any bright and motivated students with an interest in science.

As aspiring scientists, we hope to not only satisfy our own curiosity but also to contribute to the scientific world and use the knowledge and skills we’ve acquired to conduct further research projects. Additionally, we would use this program as an opportunity to make science and technology more approachable for students.

Through BIYSC we hope to:
INSPIRE fellow students with an interest in science to pursue their passions
CO-ORGANISE local science workshops projects and events
SHARE knowledge about pertinent world issues involving science

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your support. Any contributions, however small, are greatly appreciated and would mark an important step towards achieving our goal. If you have any questions, advice, or ideas that you wish to share, feel free to contact us.

Best regards,

The Eureka Team: Ben Kilimnik, Clara Stache, Pramoth Arun, Leon Rinke and Ramona Luncan