topic Education

Beyond the Classroom: Youth Competitions Offer More

Youth competitions set new goals for academic studies by young people. The great interest in the BMBF-funded competitions and the numerous - and impressive - submissions show how much curiosity and talent our schools can boast. Special talents are given special support: In the competitions, young people can discover the appeal and fascination of science, academia and research. Successful participation in such competitions can help young people obtain a scholarship from the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes (German National Academic Foundation).

Youth competitions promote talent. They young people discover strengths and potential areas of study. Many former prizewinners feel that participation in competition was of great importance for their academic careers. But this long-term effect has less to do with the subject of the competition; prizewinners benefitted most from the experiences they were able to gain by persevering in the face of specific problems, organizing their own work, and coping with frustration.

• topic Education

  International Mathematical Olympiad

  The 50th International Mathematical Olympiad will take place in Bremen from 10 to 22 July 2009. The most talented young mathematicians from all over the world will be coming to Germany for this contest.
   read more: International Mathematical Olympiad
  (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/12333.php)
   
  

• topic Education

  Selection contest for the International Biology Olympiad (IBO)

  The International Biology Olympiad - IBO for short - offers school students an opportunity to measure their skills in solving problems in the field of biology.
   read more: Selection contest for the International Biology Olympiad (IBO)
  (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/452.php)
   
  
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  topic Education

  Selection Contest for the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO)

  The International Chemistry Olympiad - IChO for short - offers school students an opportunity to measure their skills in solving theoretical and experimental problems in the field of chemistry. Delegations from more than 70 countries take part in the international competition every year. The German team is selected in a four-phase selection procedure funded by the BMBF. Between 1100 and 1300 young people take part in the contest nation-wide every year.
   read more: Selection Contest for the International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO)
  (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/456.php)
   
  

• topic Education

  Selection Contest for the International Physics Olympiad

  The International Physics Olympiad - IPhO for short - and the selection contest in Germany are aimed at young people with an interest in and a talent for physics. Each year, the five best young Germans travel to the international competition where they measure their skills against young people from all over the world in solving theoretical and practical problems, fight for medals and gain exciting new insights into other cultures.
   read more: Selection Contest for the International Physics Olympiad
  (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/459.php)
   
  

• topic Education

  European Union Science Olympiade (EUSO)

  Teams of three compete at the EUSO. Teams consist of one expert respectively in the fields of biology, chemistry and physics. The competition is funded by the BMBF. The team members work together and coordinate their individual results to jointly answer questions posed in the context of an overall problem. Support is provided to school students who have outstanding expertise in at least one of the three science subjects and are in the position to solve practical, experimental and interdisciplinary problems in a team.
   read more: European Union Science Olympiade (EUSO)
  (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/13685.php)
   
  

• topic Education

  Selection Contest for the International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO)

  The International Junior Science Olympiad, which receives funding from the BMBF, promotes young scientific talent at middle-school level without high entrance barriers. The first round begins on 15 January each year with tasks and simple experiments which the candidates can conduct at home or at school.
   read more: Selection Contest for the International Junior Science Olympiad (IJSO)
  (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/13689.php)
   
  
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  topic Education

  Young Researchers Competition/School Students Experiment

  The Young Researchers competition is the biggest competition for young talent in the fields of science, mathematics and technology. The national contest, for which the BMBF provides considerable funding, is aimed at young people up to the age of 21. Younger school pupils must attend Year 4 at least. Participants aged up to 14 take part in the junior section of the school students experiment competition. They are free to select their own topics which must, however, involve one of the seven areas of: the working world, biology, chemistry, geography and regional sciences, mathematics/computer science, physics or technology.
   read more: Young Researchers Competition/School Students Experiment
  (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/434.php)
   
  
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  topic Education

  "Youth Start-Ups" - Online Competition for School Students

  The national "Youth Start-Ups" competition invites young people between the ages of 16 and 21 to put their business ideas in the industrial, trade and services sectors into practice in a virtual business game. Participants simulate managing a company in the game based on their own business plan.
   read more: "Youth Start-Ups" - Online Competition for School Students
  (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/5278.php)
   
  

• topic Education

  Nationals Mathematics Competitions

  The fascinating and demanding problems of the nation-wide mathematics competitions are intended to encourage school students to take a keener interest in mathematics. The competitions are funded by the BMBF and target school students from Year 5 upwards at various levels.
   read more: Nationals Mathematics Competitions
  (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/12371.php)
   
  
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  topic Research

  Invent a Chip: The search for young inventors

  The great demand for highly qualified engineers is common knowledge. The school student competition INVENT a CHIP aims to create understanding of and excitement for basic technical research, particularly in the field of microelectronics and information technology. There are many great prizes to be won, from a school party or technical equipment for workrooms to individual cash prizes, conference participation and a practical placement at Bosch.
   read more: Invent a Chip: The search for young inventors
  (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/6417.php)
   
  

• topic Education

  German National Computer Science Competition

  The German National Computer Science Competition (BWINF), which was launched in 1980, begins on 1 September each year. The BWINF is funded by the BMBF and is an initiative of the Fraunhofer Information and Communication Technology Group and the Gesellschaft für Informatik (GI). The competition addresses young people aged up to 21 years who want to be able to control computers productively, rather than just use them.
   read more: German National Computer Science Competition
  (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/448.php)
   
  

• topic Education

  German National Environment Competition

  This competition is intended to encourage young people to investigate the causes of environmental problems and to seek solutions to these problems. The motto of the competition is "from knowledge to action".
   read more: German National Environment Competition
  (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/465.php)
   
  

• topic Education

  German National Foreign Language Competition

  Be it in Latin, English, French or Japanese - school students and trainees with a talent and enthusiasm for foreign languages can find a huge selection of competitions in the German National Foreign Language Competition, which is funded by the BMBF.
   read more: German National Foreign Language Competition
  (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/13697.php)
   
  
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  topic Education

  German National Composition Competition

  The Federal Ministry of Education and Research has been funding the German National Composition Competition since 1985. The competition is organized on an annual basis by the Jeunesses Musicales Deutschland e.V. It targets young people of school age who are interested in chamber music, piano music or other fields of music and enjoy composing music. The focus is on encouraging young talent.
   read more: German National Composition Competition
  (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/12363.php)
   
  
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  topic Education

  German National Competition "Art Students Exhibit Their Work"

  Since 1984, this competition has been giving art students a regular opportunity to present the variety and quality of training at German colleges of art. The exhibition has been held every two years at the Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in Bonn since 1994. It meets with great interest from the specialist community as well as from the general public. Up to 2000 people have attended the opening events in the last few years.
   read more: German National Competition "Art Students Exhibit Their Work"
  (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/12366.php)
   
  

• topic Education

  Theatertreffen of German-Speaking Acting Students and the Competition to promote Young Actors

  The Federal Ministry of Education and Research has been funding the Competition to Promote Young Actors since 1990 in cooperation with the Länder. Drama students from 17 drama colleges united in the Standing Conference of German Drama Colleges in Germany (12), Austria (3) and Switzerland (2) are invited to the annual Theatre Meeting of German-Speaking Drama Students. They each present one production in the competition. Students conduct discussions in their own forums. The programme is rounded off by further events and meetings with teachers and artists.
   read more: Theatertreffen of German-Speaking Acting Students and the Competition to promote Young Actors
  (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/12589.php)
   
  

• topic Education

  Competition for Democratic Citizenship

  The BMBF has been funding the Competition for Democratic Citizenship since 1989. It is open to all general schools in Germany. The motto of the competition is "Said and Done!". The competition seeks examples of democracy both inside and outside of schools. School students are called upon to submit topics and projects which strengthen independent democratic action.
   read more: Competition for Democratic Citizenship
  (URL: http://www.bmbf.de/en/13699.php)