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Transcript of Professional development for STEM Educators The Joy of the Math Project Jen-chung Chuan National...
Professional development for STEM Educators
The Joy of the Math Project
Jen-chung Chuan
National Tsing Hua University
Hsinchu, Taiwan
Aug, 2010
Introduction
√ How Intel ISEF 2010 has brought joy to the little countryside home and brought hope to the disaster area
√ How math project has brought joy to math learning and research
Math Becomes Experimental
• Mathematics is regarded as a branch of theoretical science.
• Science project turns Mathematics into an experimental science.
Visual
• Pure mathematicians speak of the thrill of abstraction.
• Math project takes pride in making abstract concept visible and dynamic.
Don’t Spoil the Fun
• Three parts of a theorem: – “Given” – “To prove” – “Proof”
• Thousands of years: “Proof” the most precious.
• Dynamic Geometry : “To Prove” the most exciting.
Attention Span
• It is easy to deliver a math lecture making the audience sleep.
• When a mathematical proof is turned into an interactive game, people get addicted.
PowerPoint?
• PowerPoint makes interactive Q&A hard.
• Webpage links the minds to an unknown depth.
Principle of Duality
• Treat a constant as a variable• Treat a variable as a constant
Old Wine…
• Conventional Wisdom: Don’t discover a theorem unless it has at least three applications.
• Math Project: Don’t start a mathematical experiment unless there are at least three different ways to do so with the computer.
Symbols
• Appropriate math symbols make presentation clean.
• Redundant symbols make presentation ugly.
Index
• Avoid using indices.
• Verbal expression reflects a sharper mind.
Mathematical Maturity
• Mathematical maturity - best propaganda for any math project.
• References speak such quality loud and clear.
Ego
• A mathematician’s ego is found in the scratchpad.
• He is willing to fight to keep it confidential.
• Art of a science project : transform it beyond recognition.
Efficiency
• Amount of time for presentation- limited • The quality of judging is gauged
by the efficiency of the presentation.
• Ambiguity: worst sin • Just imagine the amount of time saved
without having to clarify definitions!
White Board• Tools for scientific presentation - far from
ideal. • In math seminars chalk is used. • Pace and Flow of Ideas can hardly be
simulated with computer.
•Bring a white board.
Magic Show
• People love magic shows.
• Extract the mathmagic ingredient of the project and start seducing the audience.
Insight
• Mathematical methods?• Meaningful in higher math?• Physical significance?• Visualized? • Simulation with a computer? • Accessible to high school student?• Accessible to primary school student?
Reality Check
• Have you given your presentation to your parents?
• Do they understand it?
Another Reality Check
• What have you learnt from the project?
Thank You
Math Rocks