Each year, the Physical Society of Berlin, together with the Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Foundation, awards prizes to the best physics teachers in Berlin and Brandenburg as well as to Berlin secondary school students excelling in physics.

This year’s festive award ceremony took place at Freie Universität Berlin—attended by numerous friends and family members of the award winners. The guests were welcomed by the chair of the Physical Society, Prof. Dr. Mathias Richter, the Vice President Prof. Dr. Petra Knaus, and the Dean of the Department of Physics Prof. Dr. Robert Bittl.

Heinrich Gustav Magnus Prize Awarded to Two Physics Teachers from Berlin

The Heinrich Gustav Magnus Prize was awarded to Berlin physics teachers Gerald Ogrisek from Archenhold Gymnasium and Dr. Sergio Rivera Hernandez from Gabriele von Bülow Gymnasium.

During his more than 40-year career as a physics teacher, Gerald Ogrisek has not only inspired a great many students with his passion for physics, but has also helped train the next generation of teachers for Archenhold Gymnasium—two of his former students now work there as physics teachers. As deputy principal, he played a major role in establishing the school’s profile as a STEM-focused MINT-EC institution.

Dr. Sergio Rivera Hernandez holds a doctorate in mathematical gravitational physics. After moving into teaching, he has drawn on topics from astrophysics and quantum physics—as well as his research connections—to spark students’ curiosity and open their eyes to possible career paths in physics. Students appreciate his additional curricular and extracurricular offerings, such as participation in a talent school in Twente or advanced courses like An Introduction to the Mathematics of Quantum Mechanics.

In addition to a 500-euro prize, each teacher received 1,500 euros in support for their school, for example, to purchase new equipment for physics experiments in class.

Keynote Lecture, Networking, and Academic Advising

The keynote lecture by Dr. Monika Staesche (Stiftung Planetarium Berlin) provided the audience with inspiring insights into the work of the James Webb Space Telescope and explained the physical principles essential for such space missions.

During a small standing reception following the award ceremony, the award winnders and guests had the opportunity to network and chat with researchers, other teachers, and talented young students from Berlin. Prospective students also stopped by two advising tables to learn more about studying physics.

The next award ceremony will take place in November 2026 at Technische Universität Berlin.