Mini-course Information (as an MS-Word File)
Directions to Roger Williams University
Mathematics is a problem-solving driven discipline and learning to solve problems is one of the principal reasons for studying mathematics. In this course the presenter will share his experience of teaching Creative Problem Solving courses, as well as provide hands-on activities that illustrate the main philosophy of this teaching method: students discover and learn about the great beauty of mathematics through non-standard and thought-provoking problems that require creative approach. In particular, the course will discuss creative problems from several areas of mathematics, problem-solving techniques, and how these problems help students to develop their mathematical intuition and imagination.
The course is for college professors and high school teachers who plan to develop and teach problem solving courses, as well as everyone who enjoys the creative process of solving mathematical problems.
Thursday, June 3, 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., with breaks between activities
Creative Problem Solving as a Teaching Method
Hands-on activities:
Problem Solving in Geometry
Problem Solving in Algebra and Number Theory
Problem Solving in Combinatorics and Probability Theory
Problem Solving in Graph Theory
Problem Solving in Topology
Mathematical Brainteasers
Mikhail Chkhenkeli is an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Western New England College. He received his doctorate in Mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania. He has taught a variety of courses from Pre-Calculus to Differential Topology at the University of Pennsylvania, Williams College, Western New England College, and at the Johns Hopkins University CTY Summer Programs. He has designed and taught several Creative Problem Solving courses for undergraduate math majors and non-majors, talented high-school students, and mathematics teachers. He is currently working on a book “Creative Problem Solving in Mathematics.”
The Mini-Course will be held at the Conference Center of Roger Williams College. There will be a snack break (domestic cheese and fruit with assorted crackers and sodas) midway through the course.
There will be a cash bar starting at 6:15 pm with a buffet dinner at 7 pm. The dinner will include two entrees, Vegetable Lasagna and Marinated Steak Tips, and Caesar Salad, Vegetable, Potatoes/Rice, Dessert, Coffee, Tea, and Decaf.
The total cost for mini-course registration, snack break and dinner is only $50.
Housing at the Conference Center is available at a rate of $79, single or double, in a hotel type room including a continental breakfast. Participants will need to make their own housing reservation by calling 401-683-3600 and indicating that they are part of the MAA group, in order to receive this group rate. We have held 25 rooms at the center until mid-May.
Directions to Roger Williams University:
Return to NES/MAA Homepage.
E-mail: gingrichr1@southernct.edu
URL: http://www.southernct.edu/organizations/nesmaa/nesminicourse2004.html
Revised: May 3, 2004
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