Computer Algebra System (CAS) in Mathematics. The topics are chosen with the support of a

teacher.

The following topics are from previous EU-projects:

A suggestion for a correction at the feeder road of the motorway in Dormagen; simulation of

the costs of a wafer factory; analysis of the trajectories of a badminton ball and a tennis ball;

approximation by Taylor polynomials (how does the calculator work on sin(0.23)?); the

Stefan-Boltzmann Law; logistic growth models for drugs and infectious diseases; tracing

cycloids and spirals.

The finished projects were published on the web:

http://www.uni-graz.at/imawww/euprojekt-cas/

http://www.gymtce.cz/math.htm

The exchange of views among the participants of the project is not only limited to a

professional level, but also gives also the possibility of getting to know other schools and

school systems in their cultural surroundings. The communication during the project is done

via regular meetings,3 times a year and the Internet.

The use of the CAS is recommended from the 10th year of school

upwards. During the previous years of the project, students aged 16-

20 have taken part. The school decides whether one or more classes

or only certain groups of students take part.

All the Mathematics teachers who are interested in exploring

selected mathematical problems and their solutions with CAS

can join the project.

The first meeting is meant to be for the planning of the project. The

others are for exchanges of views and further training in the use of

the CAS.

One or two math teachers of a school attend a project meeting. At the

last meeting of each project year, usually up to 2 students from each

school travel with their teachers to present the project. They are

accommodated by host families.

The time needed for the project during lessons used to be 3-4 weeks.

Some schools spent more time on the project, due to their own

interest.

The project lasts for two years. The school can apply however for the extension of the project

for another two years.

The use of educational software also aims at increasing the quality of math education and the

competencies of the teachers.

The use of modern means of communication in Mathematics gives the students many new

insights. The growth of students’ understanding and mathematical abilities through the

lessons can definitely be proved.

Participation in the EU-project supports the marketing of the school and makes it more widely

known.

In order to make it possible to clarify detailed questions and to get to know each other, the EU

offers the chance to have a preparatory visit / meeting in 2007. This visit is completely

financed by the Socrates National Agency.

The preparatory visit will take place from 17th – 23rd November 2007 in Teplice, the Czech

Republic.

If our application is approved, the project will start in September 2008 and will last to

September 2010.

Ilona Kubonova

Gymnázium Teplice