...and a Thrilling Science Night

Ten excited students and their chaperones flew to Washington D.C. for the final phase of the 2025 Makeathon, where they were warmly welcomed by their host families at Dulles Airport. Still a bit jetlagged, everyone met the next morning at the German International School Washington D.C., where Ms. Colopy gave the group a tour before the students jumped into their project teams to check materials and begin building their prototypes.

The teams refined and improved their ideas from the earlier Makeathon phase and worked on three innovative projects:

• SoZellDro: A solar-powered drone that deploys cleaning robots to clear dust from photovoltaic panels.
• Oscar – the Environmental Helper: A friendly autonomous robot that detects litter and encourages proper recycling.
• PorterCase: A smart transport assistant for people with physical impairments that follows its user and carries items.

The weekend was packed with fun: a Halloween party, an NBA game featuring Franz Wagner, and a lively sightseeing tour of Washington, D.C. On Monday, after a fascinating lecture on glass by Bjorn Mysen, the students dedicated two full days to building and testing their prototypes. A midweek hike to Great Falls and along the Potomac River offered a welcome break and stunning views.

By Thursday, the young engineers were fully focused, running first tests and fine-tuning their models. They were also filmed and interviewed by Anthony Mormile from 519 Media. In the evening, the Jacoby family hosted a warm and cheerful potluck for everyone involved.

Friday marked the grand finale: the Science Night. The many visitors explored the participants’ projects, visited the newly opened Makerspace that is now names CRE8! (pronounced “Create”), and enjoyed more than 15 exhibitions and workshops that presented the extensive STEM program from preschool through high school in an engaging way. Right at the entrance a traveling exhibition form the TU Dresden spotlighted inspiring portraits of established and prospective female physicists who defy stereotypes and redefine what it means to succeed in science. In the auditorium, award-winning films from Jugend präsentiert and expert lectures were featured—ranging from quantum physics to wild bees and space exploration.

The final weekend offered a last burst of adventure, with many students and teachers taking unforgettable trips to New York City. Before heading home, the Höchstadt group visited the “American Dream Experience” and Capitol Hill. With countless memories, new skills, and plenty of laughter, the Makeathon journey came to a fantastic close—an unforgettable highlight for all.