Frankfurt (Oder). On 11 June 2026, the final event of the 36th Brandenburg State Physics Olympiad took place at IHP – Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics in Frankfurt (Oder). It included an award ceremony, laboratory tours and a lecture on pathways into science. In doing so, IHP opened its doors to young physics talents from Brandenburg and gave them insights into current microelectronics research.
Anyone who wants to shape the technologies of the future needs people who learn early on to look closely, ask questions and understand complex relationships. These are precisely the skills demonstrated by the participants in this year’s Brandenburg Physics Olympiad. After demanding competition tasks at the Carl-Friedrich-Gauß-Gymnasium, the formal closing event was held at IHP. There, participants gained insights into current research fields and learned about the opportunities that an interest in physics can open up in science.
At the start of the event, Nicolas Hübener, Administrative Director of IHP, welcomed the participants, their teachers and guests from schools, science and politics. Dr. rer. nat. Henriette Tetzner then offered a personal perspective on scientific careers in her lecture “How does someone become a scientist?” She showed how an interest in the natural sciences can develop into a professional path in research. In doing so, she made clear to the participants that research is not a distant career field, but a possible path for people who want to understand how the world works and how it can be shaped through knowledge.
At the beginning of the award ceremony, Mayor Claus Junghanns acknowledged the achievements of the winners in his opening speech. Anna Herfurth, Head of Human Resources at IHP, also delivered introductory remarks and encouraged the participants to continue following their passion for physics.
Afterwards, the students were able to experience IHP at close range. With insights into the cleanroom, the heart of IHP, as well as guided tours of the tester laboratory, the MBE laboratory, the spectroscopy laboratory, the circuit design measurement laboratories and the antenna measurement chamber, they gained impressions of key areas of microelectronics research. Amid high-precision measurement stations, semiconductor technologies and specialised scientific infrastructure, it became clear what role physics plays in the development of modern communication, sensor technology, RF technology and future applications.
At the award ceremony, Ms Birgit Nix, Head of the “Secondary General Education Schools” division, conveyed the congratulations of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of the State of Brandenburg to the award winners. She emphasised that the State Physics Olympiad is an important component of talent development in Brandenburg. At the same time, she thanked the dedicated teachers, BLiS e.V. as the organiser of the state olympiads in mathematics and the natural sciences, and IHP for their support.
Education Minister Gordon Hoffmann: “Physics has a reputation for not being an easy school subject. But physics is the science of the curious—and that is demonstrated every year at the Physics Olympiad. It fosters genuine research spirit and the courage to find one’s own solutions to challenging problems. I congratulate all winners on their success, but also all participants who took on these challenges. Never lose your curiosity and your desire to discover!”
The cooperation between the Carl-Friedrich-Gauß-Gymnasium and IHP has for many years provided the framework for this exchange between schools and research. As host of the closing event, IHP underlines its long-standing commitment to young talent in science and technology in Brandenburg.
Results by Grade Level
Grade Level 7/8
3rd Prize
Mikhail Bedov from Barnim-Gymnasium Bernau
2nd Prize
Arthur Krenz from Max-Steenbeck-Gymnasium Cottbus
Oliver Lobig from Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Gymnasium Potsdam
1st Prize
Marie Leipe from Max-Steenbeck-Gymnasium Cottbus
Grade Level 9
3rd Prize
Paul Eichberger from Max-Steenbeck-Gymnasium Cottbus
Adrian Magritz from Max-Steenbeck-Gymnasium Cottbus
Toni Winkler from Max-Steenbeck-Gymnasium Cottbus
2nd Prize
Florian Mansfeld from Carl-Friedrich-Gauß-Gymnasium Frankfurt (Oder)
1st Prize
Raphael Szerement from Max-Steenbeck-Gymnasium Cottbus
Grade Level 10
3rd Prize
Jaron Zielhofer from Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Gymnasium Potsdam
2nd Prize
Philip Rex from Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Gymnasium Potsdam
Svea Fürst from Carl-Friedrich-Gauß-Gymnasium Frankfurt (Oder)
1st Prize
Max Oramus from Carl-Friedrich-Gauß-Gymnasium Frankfurt (Oder)
Grade Level 11/12
2nd Prize
Klara Guzenda from Carl-Friedrich-Gauß-Gymnasium Frankfurt (Oder)
1st Prize
Adam Glisic from Carl-Friedrich-Gauß-Gymnasium Frankfurt (Oder)
