The day begins with a math exam. Over the course of two hours, third- and fourth-grade students from primary schools solve various problems involving logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creative application of mathematical methods. The participants are fully engaged: “It’s the Olympic spirit that motivates the children,” says Silke Kleuker, a teacher at Asternschule Nordstemmen. “They get to showcase their skills in a whole new setting - the university.”

The afternoon is dedicated to fun activities. The children can explore the campus on a scavenger hunt, attend a programming workshop, or play math games. “We don’t just want to offer math problems; we want hands-on math,” emphasizes Prof. Dr. Barbara Schmidt-Thieme, professor of mathematics education and organizer of the event at the University of Hildesheim. “It’s the ideal exchange between theory and practice. Everyone comes together here once a year - students, teachers, university students, and parents - and every year we have more participants.” “Some tasks were hard, others were easy - but the whole day was a lot of fun,” sums up 10-year-old Valerie.