A Battle of Mathematical Minds at the University of Bayreuth
At the end of February, around 170 mathematics enthusiasts from across Bavaria will gather at the University of Bayreuth for the state finals of the 64th Mathematical Olympiad. This is the first time the competition will be held in Bayreuth.
MOBy e.V. / Institut für Mathematik JMU Würzburg
Bavaria’s brightest young mathematical talents will meet for a showdown at the University of Bayreuth. From 21 to 23 February 2025, the Bavarian state round of the 64th Mathematical Olympiad will take place here. Over two four-hour exams, around 170 students from Years 7 to 12 will put their logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creative application of mathematical methods to the test.
The Bavarian state round, organised by MOBy e.V. (short for Mathematical Olympiad in Bavaria), is being hosted by the University of Bayreuth for the first time. Professor Anton Schiela from the Chair of Applied Mathematics is leading the organisation, supported by numerous contributors both within and beyond the university. The Chair of Mathematics Education, led by Professor Volker Ulm, is responsible for the exam administration and marking. In addition, various university departments, including Mathematics, Physics, and Engineering, will offer the young Olympians an exciting programme of workshops after the second exam on Saturday. These workshops will allow students to explore fields such as materials science, battery research, and computer-aided design (CAD) through hands-on experiments. For the three-day event, the DJH Youth Hostel next to the university campus has been fully booked for the participants. “Around 120 volunteers are involved in organising and running the Bavarian state round,” says Professor Schiela. “Alongside students and staff from the University of Bayreuth, the Christian-Ernestinum Grammar School in Bayreuth is also contributing to the organisation. Additionally, MOBy e.V. and Quod Erat Demonstrandum e.V. are providing numerous volunteers to assist with the exam marking, working alongside university staff. This complex coordination effort is largely managed by my team assistant, Andrea Groll, whose dedication and organisational talent I can fully rely on.”
The University of Bayreuth is not only responsible for accommodation, exams, and the awards ceremony but must also ensure that students have the opportunity to review their marked exams. Following this, a jury will convene late into Saturday evening to determine the winners who will go on to compete in May 2025 in Göttingen against students from across Germany. “We are grateful for the support of Dr. Richard Greiner from the University of Würzburg, which hosted last year’s state finals, and Albrecht Kliem, the state competition director,” says Schiela.
He adds: “It’s fantastic to see how enthusiastic the students are. The Mathematical Olympiad isn’t just about demonstrating mathematical skills—it’s also a place where new friendships and connections are formed. A few years ago, some participants even founded a small orchestra, the ‘π-tles,’ which will provide the musical accompaniment at Sunday’s public awards ceremony in Bayreuth.”