Several science prizes are handed over at the Curious2024 – Future Insight Conference, including the Merck Future Insight Prize that comes with an upto 1 million Euro research grant. But there are many other prizes and the story presented here is on the Junior Visions Prize – to engage the youngest generation in science. Pupils from regional schools were invited to draw pictures on how they imagine science & technology can contribute to generate a bright future. Fuelled by curiosity and passion, young minds poured thoughts onto paper, gave shape to dreams and shared aspirations for a better tomorrow. Teachers recognized the potential of this initiative and embraced it wholeheartedly, integrating it into their classrooms.The artworks were evaluated by a jury of renowned scientists, validating the boundless creativity of these budding talents with scientific commentary. The best works were shared on social media, capturing the hearts and minds of hundreds in an outpouring of likes and shares.
As the pinnacle of this remarkable journey, the winners were invited to the prestigious Curious2024 – Future Insight™ Conference, greeted with open arms and immersed in the world of top scientists and entrepreneurs, CEOs and Nobel laureates. Surrounded by the brilliance of scientific discovery, they spent an exhilarating afternoon delving into captivating topics, igniting their passion for knowledge and exploration.
The impact of the Junior Visions Prize thus goes far beyond the confines of the mind, home and classrooms. As the winners stand on the stage of our bright future, this format bestows indelible passion for science for a better tomorrow and the belief that their voices and ideas matter. Pictures made out of simple strokes visualised complex scientific solutions for the world's pressing problems making renowned scientists stop and listen. All participants now carry with them the invaluable gift of inspiration, ready to shape a better world with boundless imagination.

Putting together a conference hosting the world’s top scientists, including 7 Nobel laureates, with 217 partners is no simple task and requires continuous motivational input, an engaging communication strategy and coordinated planning at several levels (high level planning and detailed subproject plans) to bring it to such a successful outcome.
Some key learnings:
• Our interdisciplinary speaker panel featuring some of the brightest scientists and technology pioneers from across the globe is unique. Engaging with these keynote speakers valuing their contribution is key to the success of the event.
• Partnering early with Universities and large corporate sponsors allowed us to efficiently conceptualize the basic framework of the event.
• Collaborating with these many partners, requires a dedicated core team of highly skilled and experienced individuals who create an environment where information exchange, knowledge sharing and fostering new approaches are embraced.
• For the execution phase of the event, the core team had been supported by highly motivated volunteers to assemble their own teams who created unforgettable experiences in several additional formats such as startup fair, eventing event and an interactive poster session.
• Smooth technical implementation was ensured by partnering with established event partners.
• A conference program scheduling tool was programmed based on MS Excel to ensure that last minute changes in the agenda could be accommodated without causing confusion (up to last day before conference start).
• Coverage of a wide range of topics and including diverse conference formats meant that every science enthusiast could take home their unforgettable conference experience.

The next Curious – Future Insight conference is planned to take place in 2027. Preparing such an excellent event requires years of preparation. In particular, we aim to develop new engaging concepts for our conference to further extend our impact on higher education. Nevertheless, we also aim to go beyond our current formats.
This autumn we organize the first ‘Game Changer Unconference – Breakthroughs in Science & Technology’ to support the further advancement of science and education and to connect like-minded individuals and organizations creating a bright future. This format will be set-up to exchange in a loose format about emerging breakthroughs and game-changing topics in science and technology. This Game Changer Unconference can have a profound impact on higher education by serving as a catalyst for innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurship. It creates a unique platform for interdisciplinary dialogue and idea exchange ultimately not only exposing participants to cutting-edge research and emerging trends, but also empowering everyone to take an active role and present and share their own thoughts.
In 2025, we will hold the first Vision Finder Workshop, a 3-4 day stimulating workshop to help participants looking to find a mission in life. Participants will receive feedback on their CV from a distinguished group of academic and corporate professionals and learn how to optimize their education and career planning to change their life for the better. Overall, the Vision Finder Workshop will empower participants by providing them with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to excel in their educational and entrepreneurial endeavours.
Most important of all we want to advance the Future Insight Association on its misssion to help create a bright future for the world. The Future Insight e.V. association unites like-minded individuals and organizations in its mission to support the advancement of science and education for the benefit of humanity, aligned on the three fundamental principles of truth, love, and hope – science, ethics, and inspiration. We foster collaboration, promote innovation, and support transformative initiatives, nurturing the peaceful use of science for a better tomorrow.