Start of the 4 Science Challenge: Exciting MINT competition for students!

Start of the 4 Science Challenge: Exciting MINT competition for students!

The “4 Science Challenge” is an exciting online competition for students in grades 9 to 13 in Germany. From September 22, 2025, participants can form teams and attempt four challenging tasks, each completed over a period of four weeks. These tasks come from the areas of mathematics, natural sciences and technology and are carried out by institutes of the Leibniz University Hannover placed.

Participation in the “4 Science Challenge” is free of charge. Teams consisting of two to five students can now register via the website www.uni-hannover.de/4sciencechallenge register. Teamwork is a central component because the students are allowed to use all available tools to solve the tasks. The best teams are invited to the celebratory awards ceremony at Leibniz University, where they receive award-winning prizes to support their studies.

Competition structure and task format

Every month a new “Task of the Month” is published, which is created and evaluated by students in MINT subjects. Participation is possible for all interested students from the 9th grade onwards, which makes the competition particularly attractive for all MINT enthusiasts. The organizers of uniKIK school projects ensure that the concept and modules are prepared sensibly and offer the participants a high-quality challenge. The groups have around four weeks to complete each task.

STEM competitions like the “4 Science Challenge” are not just an opportunity to distinguish yourself academically. They also promote important skills such as teamwork, determination and creativity. The committed students are allowed to develop concepts and hypotheses independently and actively participate in designing solutions. Joint training and the challenge of developing solutions together strengthen group cohesion and help you make new friends.

Benefits of Participation

Another key aspect of such competitions is the opportunity to increase participants' confidence in their abilities. Even without winning, the students receive valuable experience that motivates them to tackle future challenges with more confidence. The competitive nature increases motivation and encourages participants to outdo each other. MINT competitions not only offer academic incentives, but are also of great importance for the personal development of students.

Prizes in the MINT field represent special recognition for the commitment and exceptional achievements of the participating students. These awards can be an advantage for later study and job applications and help to further promote interest in MINT subjects.
For further information, Swantje Ludwig from the Leibniz School of Education – uniKIK school projects is available via email.