The Créme de la Créme in Rhineland-Palatinate

State Mathematics Competition Honors 27 Young Talents

Press Release / April 16, 2024

For three years, they have been tinkering and volunteering – and at the beginning of April, they were rewarded for their efforts. 27 pupils from Rhineland-Palatinate successfully took part in the state mathematics competition, beating 72 others. The competition concluded with the award ceremony at the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM. On site, they were congratulated by Mayor Beate Kimmel, Vice President of the University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU) Dr. Stefan Löhrke and Prof. Dr. Ralf Korn, scientific advisor to the Fraunhofer ITWM.

The Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Education's state mathematics competition promotes mathematically gifted and interested pupils from all types of secondary schools in Rhineland-Palatinate. In three different rounds, they are motivated to work independently on mathematical problems – the best students in each round go through to the next round. The competition concludes with a three-day colloquium at one of the state's universities and an award ceremony. The choice of this year's venue is no coincidence. The Kaiserslautern Institute of Mathematics has been actively involved in supporting young scientists for many years. In addition, the Felix Klein Center for Mathematics, which serves as an umbrella organization for the Fraunhofer ITWM and the Department of Mathematics at the RPTU, supports the state competition financially.

From Optimization to Puzzles and Artificial Intelligence

Three exciting days filled with lectures, leisure activities and project work lie behind the young talents. In the third round of the competition, the students got to know the RPTU and applied mathematics. »You have learned a lot over the last few days. This morning you demonstrated your skills, because you all rocked the presentations!«, said competition director Christian Goldschmitt from the IGS Anna Seghers Mainz. This year's topics were mathematical optimization, puzzles and Artificial Intelligence. The three projects provided insights into an exciting and entertaining, but above all diverse science. This was also confirmed by Ralf Korn in his keynote speech entitled »Future technologies in mathematics« at the closing event: »Mathematics moves the world and you can change the world with mathematics!«

Group Picture State Mathematics Competition 2024 — © Fraunhofer ITWM
The 27 winners of the State Mathematics Competition together with the guests of honour and the organizers at the award ceremony.

Applause for the Next Generation of Scientists

The young people were honored from many sides for their outstanding abilities. Beate Kimmel emphasized her admiration for the students in her welcoming speech. »My thanks also go to the parents who encourage their children's mathematical talent.« Stefan Löhrke concluded by emphasizing that the young researchers can be proud of themselves. They are in the right place for their future: »Kaiserslautern is an international center for mathematics with the RPTU, the Fraunhofer ITWM and the Felix Klein Center for Mathematics. We look forward to welcoming one or two faces back.«

Press Release

The Créme de la Créme in Rhineland-Palatinate

State Mathematics Competition Honors 27 Young Talents

From Optimization to Puzzles and Artificial Intelligence

Further Information

Applause for the Next Generation of Scientists

Contact Press / Media

Anika Sedlmeier