The Mathematical Trails of the Department of Mathematics in Media
In the years 2017-2020 the Department of Mathematics of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra was a partner in the project MoMaTrE Mobile Math Trails in Europe under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. PaedDr. Sonia Čeretkova, PhD., whose aim was to bring math trails to European schools with the support of the MathCityMap system developed by Goethe University in Frankfurt am Mein, Germany.
After the end of the international project, we continued our work with teachers and math trails within the national KEGA project Collaboration as a means of professional development of mathematics teachers and from September 2023 we are working again in an international team within the MATRIX Math Trails with an Inclusive Perspective on Students Experiences project. The Math Trails team is growing successfully. The Nitra team consists of Veronika Bočková, Michal Fojtík, Silvia Haringová, Janka Medová and Katarína Laššová, but we also draw on the expertise of other colleagues at the department.
Over the last years, math trails have become a part of the preparation of future math teachers for all grades, we have trained more than 750 in-service math teachers, we have conducted math trails with our assistance in more than 20 Slovak schools, and we have prepared workshops for future teachers and in-service teachers abroad as well. In 2023, the wider public and the media became interested in our activity. We presented our work with Math Walks and the MathCityMap system as follows:
- Daily MY Nitra - SME
Mathematical trails appeared in the Nitra district newspaper at the beginning of the calendar year, on January 20, 2023. Readers could find out what are the math trails, what their aim is, who can take part in them and also what mathematical task gives some pupils problems. The interview was conducted with PhD student Silvia Haringová. - Science Café
On 28 February 2023, students of the University met in the University Creative Studio in the premises of the Student House Nitra UKF to hear the inspiring stories of their classmates. During the evening there were presentations about math trails, successful research in the field of molecular biology at UKF and the importance of volunteering for further student development. The math trails were presented by Silvia Haringová. - Science podcast
The science-popularisation portal Science on Stage offers a wealth of news, information and entertainment from the world of science and technology. In one place you can discover everything about science, research, events and other interesting activities happening in this field in Slovakia.On 10 May 2023, Janka Medová and Silvia Haringová from the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra talked about mathematical trails in the podcast of the portal VEDA NA DOSAH in Slovak language. - Rexlex on Markíza
Reflex is a daily magazine made up of stories whose main heroes are the citizens of Slovakia. It is broacasted by the biggest private television in Slovakia, TV Markíza, in the afternoons. It is made up of strong human stories full of emotions, investigative reports, interesting facts and showbiz. Every day brings with it new themes, a different atmosphere, a different mood. Veronika Bočková and her pupils, Janka Medová and Silvia Haringová were part of this show on 30 June 2023. - Quark Magazine
Quark magazine is a magazine about science and technology for all the curious, which tells even complex things in plain language. Every month it brings 56 pages of the latest information about science, research, discoveries and new technology in Slovakia and around the world. Four pages about Math trails with MathCityMap appeared in the August issue. The questions were answered by Janka Medová and Silvia Haringová. - Autumn school on teaching mathematics
The Autumn School is organised annually by Zuzana and Peter Bero, who have been offering mathematics textbooks and workbooks to teachers and pupils in primary schools and eight-year grammar schools for more than twenty years. This year Silvia Haringová had the opportunity to present an invited lecture. She presented the Mathematics trails and Matrix project to more than 100 in-service teachers on 29 September 2023. - Mathematics Trails 2 webinar
The second webinar on Mathematical trails was held on 8 November 2023 via the Facebook platform. Approximately 300 people expressed interest in this event. In addition to basic information, participants learned how to implement and create math trails. They were given useful advice on how to create tasks and trails were also informed about the benefits of the Matrix project. The webinar was led by Silvia Haringová, Veronika Bočková and Janka Medová. - Night Pyramid - Radio Slovensko
- Nočná pyramída is a Slovak Radio show, broadcasted on Radio Slovensko. The night programme of Radio Slovensko offers exclusive interviews with interesting guests. The presenters of Radio Slovakia invite popular artists, prominent scientists, successful athletes, doctors and educators to the studio, with whom they discuss both entertaining and serious topics. The invitation to the night pyramid was accepted by Janka Medová, who on 20 November 2023 talked about her professional and personal life and also presented mathematical trails.
Thanks to the interest of the general public and the media, mathematical walks are becoming more and more popular and their use in mathematics lessons is beginning to be a welcome activity across schools nationwide.
Text a photo: Mgr. Silvia Haringová, Assoc. Prof. PaedDr. Janka Medova, PhD., FPVaI – Department of Mathematics
Posted: December 11, 2023
