Viktor-Obendrauf-Preis

58.000.000.000 tons of ice melt each year. Average global temperatures are rising, and glaciers are retreating – half of the glaciers will be gone by 2100. This is associated with a number of challenges, such as prolonged periods of drought and water shortages, which humanity will have to face in the future. Nevertheless, just less than half of the Austrian population consider climate change to be a serious problem.

I have therefore dedicated my Master’s thesis to an important part of our ecosystem that is massively affected by global warming – glaciers. In my work I developed experiments that focus on glaciers and the challenges posed by climate change.
The experiments and accompanying work assignments create the basis for students to reflect on their own actions in order to enable them to make informed decisions to protect the environment and future generations.

In memory of the chemistry didact Viktor Obendrauf, the University of Graz honours the three best didactic Master’s theses in teacher training programmes each year with the Viktor-Obendrauf-Preis. In the 2023/24 academic year, this prize was awarded to me for my Master’s thesis Bringing glaciers to life: Development of model experiments to communicate scientific phenomena of alpine and glacial regions as part of the GlacierXperience project.

I am grateful to be able to make a contribution to environmental education and to raise awareness through this award. Together we can build a better future.

Eva Reichmann

Link to website: https://zentrum-paedagoginnenbildung.uni-graz.at/de/viktor-obendrauf-preis/die-aktuellen-viktor-obendrauf-preistraegerinnen/