Presenting Mathematical Masterpieces

Presenting Mathematical Masterpieces and Powerful Techniques of Effective Thinking to Non-Science Students

The University of Texas at Austin, May 28 - May 31, 2002

Schedule of Activities

Tuesday:

Morning Session General philosophy explored through the introduction and example of infinity outlined above. Question posed to participants: What games, activities, or questions could you invent to help students discover core ideas and techniques about a particular mathematical topic?

Afternoon Session Participants will work on the challenge in groups. Questions, issues, and insights of general interest will be brought to the attention of the entire workshop and discussed.

Wednesday:

Morning Session The participant-leaders for each sub-theme will present the results they had gathered on Tuesday to the whole group. Participants will give demonstrations ("mini-lectures") based on their ideas. A summary discussion will emphasize the value of the participatory and discovery model.

Afternoon Session Burger and Starbird will give demonstrations of a presentation for a non-student audience including commentary on potential differences between student audiences and general audiences. Afterwards there will be a discussion of both the philosophy and practical strategies for such presentations.

Questions posed to participants: What props, visuals, activities and presentation could you devise to engage and inform a general audience about the topic of a given mathematical topic?

Thursday:

Morning Session As before, participants will work on the challenge posed at the end of the previous session in groups. Participants will gather ideas by coming forward to blackboards, overheads, and/or presentation easels. Each group of four will contribute their ideas at the appropriate places. Afternoon Session To construct an entire course on this philosophy, we consider a large collection of potential topics for inclusion in the course. Each potential topic is discussed from the point of view of presentation, strategy, accompanying intellectual development components, and assessment.

Friday:

Morning Session Continuation of Thursday afternoon session including specific suggestions on homework, projects, tests, and more unconventional components. Afternoon Session Participants will work on devising a course outline appropriate for their own college or university.

Return to the PREP front page