The agenda for the day is as follows:
09:00 – Opening lecture with information and presentation by Minister of Research and Higher Education Sigrun Aasland (B1018)
10:00 – This year’s newly awarded Abel laureate Gerd Faltings arrives at Campus Kristiansand and meets the pupils.
11:15 – The laureate gives a popular science lecture for staff, students, and upper secondary pupils.
12:20 – Lunch for the Abel Prize laureate.
13:45 – Departure from UiA.
A celebratory dinner will be held at Frolands Verk in the evening (by invitation only).
The Abel Prize is a prestigious Norwegian mathematics award of NOK 7.5 million, presented annually by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters in memory of the Norwegian mathematician Niels Henrik Abel (1802–1829).
Read more about the Abel Prize and the laureate here.
UiA has previously hosted Abel Day in 2010 and 2016.
In addition to the Abel Prize laureate and the upper secondary pupils, 400 Year 5 pupils will take part in mathematics activities on the UiA lawn and at the Science Centre UiA Kristiansand.
Programme for Year 5 pupils
The Year 5 pupils are divided into two groups: one group is at UiA from 09:00 to 11:00, and the other from 11:30 to 13:30. The programme is identical for both groups. Pupils and teachers gather in an auditorium at UiA for shared information and an introduction before being divided into three groups of 50. They are then taken to the designated area on campus where the activities will take place. The groups rotate between different mathematics activities on the lawn between the faculty buildings, designed for Year 5 and led by staff from the Department of Mathematical Sciences at UiA. At the end of the programme, pupils and teachers will be served a simple lunch.
09.00–09.15 – Shared information for Year 5, Group 1, in an auditorium (Room 46 118)
09.15–11.00 – Group division and activities on the UiA lawn
11.00–11.30 – Lunch
11.30–11.45 – Shared information for Year 5, Group 2, in an auditorium (Room 46 118)
11.45–13.30 – Group division and activities on the UiA lawn
Programme for upper secondary school pupils
The pupils are divided into two groups that alternate between two academic sessions:
an escape-room-based mathematics activity at UiA developed by staff at the Department of Mathematical Sciences, and
a programming and modelling session organised by Vitensenteret UiA Kristiansand (the science sentre).
The day begins with a joint welcome and information session before the groups proceed to their respective activities. Midday, all participants gather for lunch and an inspiring lecture from this year’s laureate. After lunch, the groups switch activities so that everyone takes part in both sessions.
The aim of the day is to give pupils engaging and challenging academic experiences that demonstrate the breadth of mathematics and how it can be explored through problem-solving, technology, and collaboration, as well as to promote UiA to upper secondary students who have chosen mathematics as a programme subject.
09.00–09.30 – Shared information for all upper secondary pupils in an auditorium (B1 018)
09.30–11.00 – Parallel sessions: Escape Room UiA / Academic session at the Science Centre
11.00–12.30 – Lunch and popular science lecture by the 2026 Abel Prize laureate
12.30–14.00 – Parallel sessions: Escape Room UiA / Academic session at the Vitensenteret UiA Kristiansand (the science sentre).
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