Jena, 20.03.2026. Around 80 students from all over Thüringen came to the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität (FSU) Jena last Wednesday to prove their knowledge in the 2nd round of the State Chemistry Olympiad. In addition to demanding exams, the young talents enjoyed an exciting supporting program featuring experimental lectures and ice cream stirred with liquid nitrogen.
- What: 2nd round of the Thüringer State Chemistry Olympiad
- When: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
- Where: Friedrich-Schiller-Universität (FSU) Jena
- Participants: 80 qualifiers from all over Thüringen
Demanding Tasks and Student Flair
Anyone who voluntarily spends 150 minutes brooding over tasks that, in part, go far beyond the regular curriculum must possess a special passion for the natural sciences. This is exactly what the 80 qualifiers did, having previously succeeded in the first round of the “Chemie, die stimmt” competition. Following an official opening event, the young people faced the intellectual challenge in the lecture halls of the FSU Jena.
As a reward, there was not only a well-deserved meal in the Mensa but also a taste of real university life. During laboratory tours and a grand experimental lecture, the students gained exclusive insights into student life at the university. A literally “cool” highlight was the homemade ice cream, prepared in style with liquid nitrogen.
Strong Competition and Success for Guests from Nordhausen
The level of the State Olympiad in Jena was high once again this year, as participants included students from Thüringen’s three specialized mathematics and science gymnasiums. Nevertheless, guests from other regions were also able to hold their own. Seven students from the Humboldt-Gymnasium in Nordhausen (Lilly Zimmermann, Martha Ludewig, Aljosha Müller, Tom Geippel, Florian Bauer, Sarah Lattermann, and Liam Ackermann) traveled to the Lichtstadt. In this strong field, Sarah Lattermann achieved an impressive 3rd place, while Aljosha Müller took 6th place.
Background: Jena as a Center for Young STEM Talent
Competitions such as the State Chemistry Olympiad are a central component in inspiring young talent for STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) at an early stage. With its excellently equipped Faculty of Chemistry and Earth Sciences, the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena provides ideal conditions for such events. For Jena as a location for science and business, these initial contacts with students are enormously important: many of today’s Olympians later return as students or researchers to the institutes on the Beutenberg-Campus or to the local high-tech companies.
Source:
Chemistry Aces in Jena : 19.03.2026, 4:12 PM
Transparency Note: This article was automatically generated, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.