All 20 schools have submitted their results, and the biomass has been weighed! Together with our partner CEPLAS, we’re now reviewing the numbers to find out which student team grew the most biomass on just one square meter of land. The winning school will be announced after the summer holidays!

The Carbon School Challenge 2025, launched by LIFEHUB Monheim Bayer AG, CEPLAS, and INVITE, invites students to explore a big question: How much CO₂ can plants capture in just three months? The idea is simple: sow seeds, grow creatively, and harvest as much biomass as possible. But behind that simplicity lies a hands-on science experience that sparks curiosity, teamwork, and climate awareness.

The challenge has grown steadily over the years:

• It all began in 2022, when six schools from Düsseldorf, Krefeld, Leverkusen, and Langenfeld joined the very first round. From stacked plant beds to multi-species plots, students showed real creativity in turning one square meter into a CO₂-capturing powerhouse.
• In 2023, students from Franz Haniel Gymnasium in Duisburg won first place with summer rapeseed and proved that plant care and consistency are just as important as crop choice.
• 2024 saw Konrad-Adenauer-Gymnasium in Langenfeld take the top spot with sunflowers.

Now in 2025, we’re excited to see who will follow in their footsteps. Stay tuned, we’ll be announcing this year’s winner very soon!