Experiencing the fascinating world of science up close - this will soon be twice as good in Jena: from 16 to 18 September, Friedrich Schiller University Jena is once again hosting the MINT Festival - the science festival dedicated to Mathematics, Computer Science, Natural Sciences and Technology. The nationwide Physics Festival "Highlights of Physics" will also be held in the city on the Saale from 15 to 20 September. Both festivals offer a varied programme with lectures, shows, workshops and much more for young and old - with free admission.

MINT Festival: Extensive programme for schools and tenders for the public

The MINT Festival Jena takes place on the Ernst-Abbe-Platz campus and is aimed in particular at school classes from primary school to senior school. Pupils can discover a wide range of current STEM topics: At the exhibition stand and in the workshops organised by main sponsor ZEISS, for example, they can learn how to use a microscope properly or go on an exploration tour with VR goggles. At the digital agency dotSource, which is also the main sponsor, everything revolves around AI and digitalisation: children and young people can try out AI tools in practical exercises and immerse themselves in the world of programming.

A total of 35 facilities|institution|(structural) units are involved in the programme: These include Jena's institutions of higher education, non-university research and educational institutions as well as companies. Good news for last-minute travellers: schools can take advantage of many of the tenders without registration.

The public is also welcome to attend the MINT Festival: On 17 September from 2-6pm, the hands-on exhibition will be open to all interested parties: Visitors can experiment there, explore scientific exhibits and find out more about training and studying in the STEM (subject) area|field. There will also be daily science shows with Magic Andy and the group ^URPhion the stage at Ernst-Abbe-Platz.

Physics Highlights: Opening on 15 September with Harald Lesch

The "Highlights of Physics" programme ranges from quantum and astrophysics to the latest technology. Physicist and TV presenter Harald Lesch will be a guest at the opening on 15 September with his lecture "Sun, moon and stars". There will also be an interactive physics exhibition in the Goethe Galerie, lectures by renowned researchers and tenders for children and families.

Physics meets Music and Hollywood at the end of the festival week: Physicist and science cabaret artist Metin Tolan and the Jena University Orchestra will embark on an entertaining journey on the Starship Enterprise. The journey entitled "STAR TREK - Galactic Music with some Physics" begins on 20 September at 8 pm.

Free admission tickets are required for the opening and closing events as well as some of the other "Highlights" tenders. These can be booked on the website: https: //highlights-physik.de.External link

Background information

MINT Festival Jena

The MINT Festival Jena celebrated its premiere in 2018 and is taking place for the fourth time this year. It was initiated and organised by the University of Jena in cooperation with the following partners: Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena, witelo e. V., OptoNet e.V. and Wirtschaftsf?rderungsgesellschaft Jena mbH - JenaWirtschaft with Jena Digital e. V. The event is supported by numerous sponsors and supporters. These include the main sponsors ZEISS and dotSource SE, the impulse region Erfurt, Jena, Weimar, Weimarer Land together with JenaWirtschaft as well as the city of Jena as main sponsor and JENOPTIK AG as gold sponsor.

Highlights of Physics

The "Highlights of Physics 2025" are organised by the German Physical Society (DPG) and the University of Jena. The Carl Zeiss Foundation is a premium partner, while the Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Foundation and the Helmut Fischer Foundation also support the festival. The Physics Festival was first held in Munich in 2001. Since then, it has been touring from city to city with changing themes. Jena is the first city to be included in the "Highlights of Physics" tour calendar for the second time.