The Civil Engineering Section has launched its first Maturité Prize, joining forces with the Environmental Sciences and Engineering Section to recognise outstanding secondary-school projects and encourage talented students to pursue engineering studies at EPFL.For the first time, the Civil Engineering Section (SGC) is awarding the best “Maturité” projects at the national level, a prize that highlights the creativity, scientific curiosity, and commitment of young students from gymnasiums in addressing today’s engineering challenges. This initiative is carried out jointly with the Environmental Sciences and Engineering Section (SSIE), which has been awarding this prize since 2021, with the aim of strengthening ties between the sections and talented high-school students across Switzerland.To participate, students from gymnasiums across the country were invited to submit applications through EPFL’s Education Outreach Department. While SSIE has been awarding a Maturité Prize for several years, this edition marks the first collaboration between the two sections to promote engineering studies among talented secondary-school students.Through this joint initiative, both sections aim to strengthen their connections with gymnasiums across Switzerland and highlight the creativity, scientific curiosity and commitment of young people addressing today’s engineering challenges.Recognising Future Civil EngineersFor this inaugural SGC edition, five projects submitted by Swiss gymnasiums were evaluated by an internal jury composed of Paola Miglietta, Mirko Musa, Andrew Sonta and Marie Violay.Following the jury’s assessment and the Prize Committee’s deliberations, the award was presented to Gustav Schönfeld, a student at Gymnasium Kantonsschule Hohe Promenade (canton of Zürich), for his project called “Influence du bâti sur la ventilation urbaine (Influence of the Built Environment on Urban Ventilation)”.Gustav Schönfeld, from gymnasium Kantonsschule Hohe Promenade (ZH) with his professorThe jury highlighted the project’s scientific quality, methodological rigour and the student’s ability to carry out independent research. The work stood out for its originality, autonomy and its exploration of a topic of growing importance for the construction sector: understanding how the built environment influences urban climate and ventilation.With this Maturité Prize, we hope to inspire talented students to pursue civil engineering studies while strengthening lasting connections between our Section and gymnasiums across Switzerland.The Civil Engineering Section warmly congratulates Gustav Schönfeld and thanks all participating students and gymnasiums for contributing to the success of this first edition. The quality and diversity of the submissions demonstrate the strong interest of young people from all regions of Switzerland in addressing the challenges of designing, constructing and developing a more sustainable built environment.Two Outstanding Projects for SSIEThe joint initiative also recognised two exceptional Maturité projects in Environmental Sciences and Engineering. For its third edition, SSIE awarded its prize to Vera Galliker from Alte Kantonsschule Aarau (canton of Aargau) and Jorim Schmid from Gymnasium Burgdorf (canton of Bern).Vera Galliker’s project, “Green Wastewater Treatment - an Experiment on Nutrient Reduction Using the Microalga Chlorella vulgaris”, investigates whether the microalga Chlorella vulgaris can help reduce phosphate and nitrate concentrations in wastewater. Her research explores a promising approach to limiting nutrient pollution and supporting the sustainable management of water resources.Vera Galliker from gymnasium Alte Kantonsschule Aarau (AG), and her ProfessorJorim Schmid’s project, “The “Sponge City” Concept in Burgdorf: An Analysis of Climate-Adapted Urban Design on Lyssachstrasse in Burgdorf”, examines how nature-based solutions could help address challenges such as surface-water runoff and urban heat islands. His work evaluates how the sponge city concept could be implemented in a specific urban area.Jorim Schmid from gymnasium Burgdorf (BE)This joint initiative between SGC and SSIE highlights the importance of engaging with young talent and inspiring the next generation of engineers, researchers and innovators.