News of May 4, 2026

STEM Education: HZDR Expands Cooperation with Israel

Research Center and Schwartz/Reisman Foundation Sign Memorandum of Understanding

The DeltaX Student Laboratory at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) and the Israeli Schwartz/Reisman Science Education Foundation intend to work more closely together in the field of STEM education (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). During a visit by Israeli students, the Scientific Director at HZDR, Prof. Sebastian M. Schmidt, and Foundation CEO Ronen Mir signed a corresponding Memorandum of Understanding on April 28, 2026.

At the heart of the partnership is the development of joint educational formats and the strengthening of international exchange opportunities for young people in the natural sciences. Both institutions have extensive expertise in supporting scientific talent, which they now aim to combine.

“We want to inspire young people for the natural sciences at an early stage while opening up new horizons for them – both academically and culturally. International exchange plays a crucial role in this, as it encourages looking beyond one’s own immediate environment. This cooperation is an important step for us in building and further developing a sustainable educational partnership between Germany and Israel,” says HZDR Scientific Director Prof. Sebastian M. Schmidt.

Ronen Mir, CEO of the Schwartz/Reisman Science Education Foundation adds: “For our highly gifted science students, access to real research is of immeasurable value. The collaboration with the DeltaX Student Laboratory strengthens their scientific skills and can connect young people across borders through the shared language of science. We look forward to building a joint exchange program.”

According to the agreement, the partners plan to offer exchange opportunities in both countries, hold joint online workshops, and share teaching materials. These activities will be complemented by laboratory visits, hands-on experiments, and encounters with researchers. In this way, curiosity and interest in scientific research will be strengthened, and pathways toward scientific careers will be highlighted.

More than a year ago, DeltaX had already organized an exchange between German and Israeli schoolchildren. The signing of the cooperation agreement now took place during a visit by 25 highly gifted Israeli students and five teachers.

Over the course of a week, the 17- and 18-year-old students were able to experience science at HZDR up close. They took part in a wide-ranging program of workshops, experiments, and scientific tours. Among other activities, they explored nuclear and particle physics in the student laboratory and visited the Felsenkeller, HAMSTER, and ELBE research facilities. In addition to activities at HZDR, the program included excursions – for example to the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology and to the Terra Mineralia exhibition – as well as an intercultural celebration marking Israel’s Independence Day, Yom HaAzma’ut.

The new educational cooperation builds on existing scientific partnerships between Germany and Israel. For instance, HZDR and the Weizmann Institute of Science jointly operate the Weizmann-Helmholtz Laboratory for Laser Matter Interaction (WHELMI), where researchers develop high-intensity laser systems used to investigate ultrafast chemical and biological processes.

About the Schwartz/Reisman Science Education Foundation

The Schwartz/Reisman Science Education Foundation is one of Israel’s leading institutions for science education. The foundation particularly supports talented students in physics and related disciplines. Working closely with schools and research institutions, it offers educational programs that go beyond regular classroom instruction. Its stated goal is to spark interest in scientific degree programs and to foster the next generation of scientists and engineers

Additional information:

Dr. Matthias Streller
DeltaX Student Laboratory at HZDR | Head
+49 351 260 3496 | m.streller@hzdr.de