Light and engaging mathematics trains OBMEP medalists.

Alunos participam de mesa redonda realizada no Festival Nacional da Matemática

It was through inexpensive experiments brought into the classroom that Daniela Mendes, currently a professor at UERJ (Rio de Janeiro State University), achieved significant results in mathematics education when she was still a teacher in the Rio de Janeiro state education system.

Using food packaging, she introduced concepts of proportion, and with recycled materials, she enabled students to calculate the height of the school building they attended.

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Workshops, games, Aramat and Robozão entertain visitors.
With varied lectures, the event excites students.

At the National Mathematics Festival, Daniela participated in a chat alongside professors Antonio Cardoso do Amaral, a standout in the OBMEP (Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad for Public Schools) with the CETI (State Center for Full-Time Education) Augustinho Brandão, from Cocal dos Alves (PI), and Luiz Felipe Lins, a teacher at the Francis Hime Municipal School, in Rio de Janeiro.

Professora Daniela Mendes deu aulas na rede estadual do Rio

The round table "How to stimulate and positively influence students in mathematics classes" took place during the second day of the National Mathematics Festival, which runs until Saturday (30), in Rio de Janeiro.

In the conversation, Daniela talked about how she uses "gossip" to make the subject fun: "Sparking your curiosity was the way I found! Math comes from play."

Professor Antonio Cardoso do Amaral demonstrated how he managed to make his school a benchmark in the OBMEP (Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad for Public Schools). He explained that the classes are divided into groups – each responsible for solving a mathematical problem. Later, the students mix, encouraging the exchange of knowledge.

Antonio Cardoso do Amaral, do CETI Augustinho Brandão, de Cocal dos Alves (PI)

Cardoso emphasized how the positive results of the method have influenced the school itself and the state: "We have created a culture of teaching and education, and this is being reflected in other places."

'Mathematics is appealing when it makes sense'

Felipe Lins emphasized to the audience that he believes in an education that uses fewer pre-packaged methods in the classroom: "We need to build a better mathematics for you. Mathematics attracts us when it makes sense. This is the mathematics we believe in, and this is the mathematics you are experiencing at the festival."

The roundtable discussion was moderated by IMPA researcher Roberto Imbuzeiro and included interaction from students, who emphasized the importance of the partnership between students and professors.