Israeli teams showcased remarkable success at the 2026 International Science Olympiad, winning over a dozen medals, including five golds, across competitions in physics, biology, and chemistry held in July.
Achievements in Physics
At the International Physics Olympiad in Colombia, Israel participated alongside more than 90 countries, securing five medals:
- Gold Medal: Ruth Kozlovsky (10th grade)
- Silver Medals: Noam Fleissig, Ahaya Kellner, Eitan Rotman, and Elad Agmon (12th graders)
Participants engaged in both practical experiments and theoretical examinations covering various physics topics.
Success in Biology
Israel maintained its winning streak at the International Biology Olympiad in Lithuania, where students trained at Tel Aviv University:
- Gold Medals: Olga Besova and Yehuda Lester
- Bronze Medals: Yarden Hoch and Saar Paperni
The competitors tackled practical and theoretical sections focusing on molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, and more.
Strong Performance in Chemistry
The International Chemistry Olympiad in Uzbekistan saw Israel earn four medals:
- Gold Medals: Itamar Ben Shmuel and Yogev Cohen Ben Zaken
- Silver Medals: Yehonadav Marienberg and Daniel Granovsky
The chemistry team, trained at the Technion, excelled in both practical and theoretical challenges, with a notable global ranking.
Conclusion
In total, Israeli teams collected 13 medals across three scientific disciplines. Education Minister Yoav Kisch highlighted this accomplishment as evidence of the depth of science education in Israel, emphasizing ongoing investments in nurturing future science leaders. The Maimonides Fund, alongside the Education Ministry, supports these initiatives to continue fostering excellence in science education.
