Young researchers from Lower Saxony impress with their creative ideas and strong spirit of inquiry

Einbeck, 13.04.2026

More than 80 children and teenagers from all over Lower Saxony impressed at the competition “Jugend forscht junior” 2026 with their research projects. On Thursday and Friday, the state finalists presented their work in the Einbecker PS.SPEICHER to an interdisciplinary jury. The 23rd edition of the competition ended today with a festive closing ceremony attended by Lower Saxony’s Minister of Education, Julia Willie Hamburg.

Ole Eildermann (14), Felix Breckle (14) and Moritz Kretzschmar (13) from the Gymnasium Corvinianum Northeim were delighted to win the state competition as the best interdisciplinary project. In their project, they investigated the stability of spider webs.

Ole Eildermann (14), Felix Breckle (14) and Moritz Kretzschmar (13) from the Gymnasium Corvinianum Northeim were delighted to win the state competition as the best interdisciplinary project. In their project, they investigated the stability of spider webs.

A wide range of questions, maximum perspective
Under the motto “Maximum Perspective,” the participants explored a wide range of research questions in the disciplines of the working world, biology, chemistry, earth and space sciences, mathematics/computer science, physics, and technology. First, second, and third prizes, as well as several special awards, were presented.

“‘Maximum Perspective’ means looking at questions from different angles, staying open-minded, and allowing for new approaches,” explains state competition director Valentina Holle. “That is exactly what the young researchers embody in their projects.”

Julia Willie Hamburg, Lower Saxony’s Minister of Education, also praised the children and young people’s dedication in her opening remarks: “When young people explore their own questions with curiosity, courage, and perseverance, they create exactly what we need for our future: new ideas and real perspectives. At the ‘Jugend forscht junior’ awards ceremony, it was impressive to see just how much creativity and enthusiasm the students possess. They forge their own paths, ask questions, and stick with them - even when things get tough. Everyone involved can truly be very proud of that.”

A long-standing engagement to supporting young researchers
For the sixth time, KWS is serving as a partner company to ensure that the Lower Saxony state competition “Jugend forscht junior” can take place in Einbeck. The event is also supported by Sartorius, Alstom, the Bürgerstiftung Einbeck, and the PS.SPEICHER.

Stephan Krings, Head of Global Marketing & Communications at KWS, says: “As a research-oriented company, it is important to us to give young people positive experiences with science at an early age. Research doesn’t begin in college or in the lab, but with the first question and the first experiment. ‘Jugend forscht junior’ gives children and young people exactly this space - to try out ideas and bring them to life.”

The “Jugend forscht junior” Competition
“Jugend forscht junior” is the junior division of the “Jugend forscht” competition and is aimed at children and young people aged 9 to 14. The goal is to foster curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills, and to encourage young people to explore scientific questions on their own. At the same time, hosting the state competition in Einbeck underscores the importance of southern Lower Saxony as a hub for life sciences.

The Lower Saxony “Jugend forscht junior” state competition is also on Instagram: @jugendforschteinbeck.

About KWS

KWS is one of the world’s leading plant breeding companies. Around 5,000 employees* in more than 70 countries generated net sales of around €1.68 billion in the fiscal year 2024/2025. A company with a tradition of family ownership, KWS has operated independently for 170 years. It focuses on plant breeding and the production and sale of seed for sugarbeet, corn, cereals, vegetables, oilseed rape and sunflower. KWS uses leading-edge plant breeding methods to continuously improve yield for farmers and plants’ resistance to diseases, pests and abiotic stress. To that end, the company invested approximately €350 million last fiscal year in research and development.
*excl. seasonal workforce

Contact:

David Logtenberg
Expert Corporate Communications
+49 (0) 170/3209972
david.logtenberg@kws.com

Lisa Marie Illemann
Expert of Events und local Projects
+49 (0) 160 4839912
lisa.illemann@kws.com

Picture-author: KWS / Florian Spieker Photography
Picture usage: Use is permitted for editorial articles about KWS, provided the source is cited. Commercial distribution to third parties is prohibited.