Viewpoint characterized by the belief that the parts of something are intimately interconnected and explicable only by reference to the whole.
Published in Chapter:
Connections Between Nature and Mathematics: The Fibonacci's Sequence in the Natural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto
Nuno Teles (MHNC-UP, Portugal), Rosário Chaves (MHNC-UP, Portugal), Joana Torres (MHNC-UP, Portugal), and Maria João Fonseca (MHNC-UP, Portugal)
Copyright: © 2023
|Pages: 21
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-6684-5765-8.ch002
Abstract
Museums and science centers play a leading role in non-formal education, inspiring visitors and raising social, political, and environmental awareness. These are powerful educational institutions, as they gather the infrastructure and competencies to provide opportunities to address topics related to science, technology, society, and arts, among others, through a non-traditional lens. Moreover, their projects and activities can be tailored to meet the needs and expectations of both families and schools, which makes them flexible engagement platforms for many audiences. In this chapter, the authors present an example of how the Natural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto is exploring the links between nature and mathematics in its educational programs. Taking advantage of this authentic context, an interdisciplinary educational activity was designed and implemented as part of the museum's holiday program. In it, 6- to 12-year-old children are challenged to observe and creatively interact with collections and exhibitions.