Mathematics World Café
The National Initiative in STEM Education and Practice (N-STEP) is an initiative of 3U, a partnership that combines complementary strengths of Dublin City University, Maynooth University and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra is leading an N-STEP Transitions project which focuses on the challenges teachers and students encounter in STEM subjects, particularly in transitioning from primary to post-primary and from post-primary to third level education.
On Thursday, 9th October a Mathematics World Café took place at Maynooth University. This event, facilitated by Thérèse Dooley (SPD) and Majella Dempsey (MU), gave an opportunity to teachers to discuss issues in teaching and learning of mathematics in senior primary and junior post-primary classes. Over a two-hour period there was lively discussion on themes such as communication across educational levels, mathematical language, pedagogical approaches, the role of the calculator, challenges with particular mathematical topics, the role of parents and the effect of streaming. The participants also gave some consideration to ways in which some of these issues might be addressed. In particular, it was felt that there was a need for further participatory, informal events for teachers across educational levels.