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From Flatland to Cannonballs – designing historical lessons and workshops for secondary school pupils & their teachers
In this talk I will outline framework I have designed and used that has helped me create engaging history of mathematics lessons and workshops for pupils aged 11+ as well as train teachers to do the same. This presupposes a use of history of mathematics to enchant and engage, rather than create an academic account or lecture for a listening audience. It is, in other words, a practical guidance to be discussed further at the end of the talk.
Starting from familiar contexts such as Flatland, honeycombs, and cannonball stacks, a number of lessons and workshops can be designed to motivate curiosity for learning more about exciting mathematical ideas as well as exploring high-dimensional concepts. This talk is suitable for all and anyone interested in the role the history of mathematics can play in mathematics education.
Date:
12 January 2026, 17:00
Venue:
Mathematical Institute, Woodstock Road OX2 6GG
Venue Details:
C1
Speaker:
Snezana Lawrence (Independent Scholar)
Organising department:
Mathematical Institute
Organiser:
Christopher Hollings (University of Oxford)
Part of:
History of Mathematics Seminar
Booking required?:
Not required
Audience:
Members of the University only
Editor:
Christopher Hollings
