Mathematics up close: Students get excited at Pi Day at the University of Siegen!

Mathematics up close: Students get excited at Pi Day at the University of Siegen!

This year's Pi Day took place on March 14, 2025 at the University of Siegen, which was highly appreciated by numerous participants from the region. Around 300 students took part in the event, which was organized as part of Mathematics Day. Although this number was below the 350 participants in the previous year's edition, interest was still remarkably high this year. The Freiherr-vom-Stein High School Betzdorf-Kirchen particularly stood out as it had the largest number of participants with 66 registrations.

The events took place from 9 a.m. on the Lower Castle campus. The focus was on the positive aspects of mathematics in everyday life, with the program offering a wide range of activities. These included mathematical puzzles, exciting escape games and even sessions in which students tried to solve chess problems and build a paperclip computer. All of this happened under the guidance of professors, research assistants and committed students.

Program items and lectures

The program also included interesting lectures on a wide range of topics such as the energy networks of the future and the causes of earthquakes. There were also workshops that were specifically designed for younger participants to promote a playful understanding of mathematics. The presentations also covered innovative developments in mathematics, such as the one involving a million dollar solution, which was featured in a discussion.

The Rector of the University of Siegen, Prof. Dr. Stefanie Reese was enthusiastic about the high level of participation and the associated interest in mathematics. “We want to make the fascination of mathematics tangible and arouse interest in it,” says Reese. Prof. Dr. Volker Michel, who led the organization of the event, also expressed his satisfaction and emphasized the enthusiasm of the student groups.

Special lectures and digital topics

A very special highlight of the event were the lectures by renowned scientists. Jens Eisert from the FU Berlin presented the mathematics of quantum computing. He spoke about the advantages that quantum computers could offer for structured computing problems and discussed the realistic expectations of this technology. In addition, Max Klimm from the TU Berlin discussed the topic of game theory and its application in various areas of life.

Another lecture by Sandro Roch, also from the TU Berlin, was dedicated to pseudo-line arrangements, an exciting topic from mathematics that has various practical applications. This mix of theoretical knowledge and practical applications makes Mathematics Day an important event for students who are introduced to the world of mathematics in a simple way.

The event, which has been taking place regularly at the University of Siegen since 2020, not only offers a platform for mathematical development, but is also an important example of cooperation between educational institutions and schools in the region. Through the commitment of professors and students, mathematics is made tangible not just as a subject, but as part of everyday life.

Further information about the events and future events can be found on the website idw online and on the platform of mathplus.de be found.