Florian Öttl's final thesis from the University of Music Würzburg has won over the jury. On Thursday (November 14, 2024), Bayernwerk AG (Bayernwerk) honored the winners of the Bavarian Culture Prize for the 20th time. At the anniversary event of the Bavarian Culture Prize at the Showpalast in Munich, Florian Öttl was honored in the science category. Born in Starnberg, he received the prize for his final thesis in the degree program for secondary school teaching at the University of Music in Würzburg. A total of 33 graduates and doctoral students from Bavarian colleges, universities and art colleges accepted the prize, which is awarded by Bayernwerk in close partnership with the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts.

Presenter Nina Sonnenberg hosted the varied evening, during which art and science prize winners received the coveted "Gedankenblitz" statue. In addition to the artists, the event also provided a stage for science. The program included panel discussions on innovative topics as well as live performances by soprano Golda Schultz, the band Münchener Freiheit, mezzo-soprano and artist Lea Luka Sikau, singer-songwriter Claudia Koreck and the performance artist duo "Dance of Light", among others. Several television stations broadcast the almost two-hour cultural evening live.

Valuable impulses for the reality of today and tomorrow

Dr. Egon Leo Westphal, CEO of Bayernwerk AG, sees science as the basis for the reality of tomorrow: "Our world is changing at a rapid pace. As an energy company, for example, we have long since arrived at the implementation of the energy future. The energy transition is becoming more and more part of society. Innovation, technology and science are the foundations for changing realities or creating new ones - this applies not only to the energy industry, but to all areas of life. Science shows us what is necessary and what is possible. This year's award winners from the world of academia get to the bottom of important social issues and their work provides valuable impetus for the reality of today and tomorrow. We would like to honor this with our award." Bavarian Minister of Science and the Arts Markus Blume emphasizes: "Science and art are closely linked - they are the lifeblood of a free society. It is right and important that we honor young talents from our universities for their ideas and courage in the science category of the Bavarian Culture Prize. The award winners invigorate our science location with their spirit for the future. This shows that our universities are real hotbeds of talent and innovation. I wish all graduates the very best for their future careers. Keep up the good work - you are the future of our country!"

Promoting creativity and motivation in music lessons through digital technologies

In his final thesis, Florian Öttl sheds light on how algorithmic composing can increase the creativity and motivation of pupils in music lessons. The use of digital technologies such as the Scratch programming language promotes creative processes, especially when learners are given a high degree of freedom. Working independently and pursuing their own musical goals encourages creative thinking. For a year 7 class at a grammar school, Florian Öttl has developed a didactically reflected teaching-learning arrangement that integrates algorithmic composing into the lessons. This shows that musical structural thinking and computational thinking are closely linked and deepen the learning process. Based on these findings, Öttl proposes establishing algorithmic composing as an integral part of music lessons. "I am very interested in how creative thinking and action can be combined by humans and artificial intelligence in the future and what role an artistic school subject such as music can play in this," he explains. His approach opens up new possibilities for creative learning processes with digital technologies.

The art prize winners: from actors to conductors

This year's winners in the art category are the actor, DJ and web video producer Flula Borg, the artist duo Böhler & Orendt, the sound and language artist Erwin Rehling, the EUKITEA children's and youth theater and international theater house and the singer-songwriter Claudia Koreck. This year's special prize was presented by Minister of State Markus Blume to conductor Oksana Lyniv.

Award with prize money and statue

The Kulturpreis Bayern goes back to the Kulturpreis Ostbayern, which was first awarded by Bayernwerk in 1959. Bayernwerk has been awarding the Bavarian Culture Prize in partnership with the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts since 2005. The winners in the art category are selected by a jury of experts, while the scientists are nominated by their respective college, university or art academy. The prizes in the art category are endowed with 10,000 euros each, the science prize with 3,000 euros each. In addition to the prize money, all prize winners receive a "flash of inspiration". The bronze statue so named was designed by Schwandorf sculptor Peter Mayer.

If you missed the program, you can watch it afterwards at https://bayernwerk-live.de/kulturpreis-bayern/. The profiles of all the science prize winners can also be found there.

Source: Bayernwerk AG