On March 17, 2026, students from the gifted education program in Middle Franconia visited the University of Technology Nuremberg (UTN). During their visit, they gained comprehensive insights into study opportunities and current research at the young university.
Following an introduction to UTN’s academic programs, the group visited the Department of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. In the Foundations of Machine Learning research group, participants were introduced to reinforcement learning and explored how systems learn from feedback. The Data Systems research group demonstrated, through an interactive demo, how novel approaches to data compression work and how hidden structures in data can be used.
In the afternoon, the group continued at the Department of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. The Energy Systems and Market Design research group presented key aspects of the energy transition, ranging from technological foundations to market mechanisms. At interactive stations, students were able to explore mathematical models, game theory, and applications related to energy systems and networks. The stations were organized by the Analytics and Optimization, Applied Discrete Mathematics, and Discrete Optimization research groups.
The visit not only provided hands-on insights into current research but also offered opportunities to connect with students and researchers. It highlighted how interdisciplinary approaches are put into practice at UTN—both in teaching and in research.
Students explored mathematics hands-on at the polyhedra station.
Participants tackled mathematical challenges, including the famous Königsberg bridges problem.
In her talk, Prof. Dr. Veronika Grimm explained current challenges related to the energy transition.
About the Gifted Education Program Middle Franconia
The gifted education program in Middle Franconia is designed for highly talented and broadly interested students in grades 9 through 11, primarily from the greater Nuremberg, Fürth, and Erlangen area. It is also open to students from other secondary schools across Middle Franconia.
As part of this enrichment program, participants engage in project-based work on topics from the fields of language and literature, social sciences, mathematics and natural sciences, as well as psychology.
On March 17, 2026, students from the gifted education program in Middle Franconia visited the University of Technology Nuremberg (UTN). During their visit, they gained comprehensive insights into study opportunities and current research at the young university.
Following an introduction to UTN’s academic programs, the group visited the Department of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence. In the Foundations of Machine Learning research group, participants were introduced to reinforcement learning and explored how systems learn from feedback. The Data Systems research group demonstrated, through an interactive demo, how novel approaches to data compression work and how hidden structures in data can be used.
In the afternoon, the group continued at the Department of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. The Energy Systems and Market Design research group presented key aspects of the energy transition, ranging from technological foundations to market mechanisms. At interactive stations, students were able to explore mathematical models, game theory, and applications related to energy systems and networks. The stations were organized by the Analytics and Optimization, Applied Discrete Mathematics, and Discrete Optimization research groups.
The visit not only provided hands-on insights into current research but also offered opportunities to connect with students and researchers. It highlighted how interdisciplinary approaches are put into practice at UTN—both in teaching and in research.
About the Gifted Education Program Middle Franconia
The gifted education program in Middle Franconia is designed for highly talented and broadly interested students in grades 9 through 11, primarily from the greater Nuremberg, Fürth, and Erlangen area. It is also open to students from other secondary schools across Middle Franconia.
As part of this enrichment program, participants engage in project-based work on topics from the fields of language and literature, social sciences, mathematics and natural sciences, as well as psychology.