Students from grade 2 to grade 10 solving a Fermi problem

104 students aged 8 to 16 worked on one Fermi problem involving estimating the number 19 of people that can fit in their school playground. We present a qualitative analysis of the 20 different mathematical models developed by the students. The analysis of the students' 21 written productions i...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Ferrando, Irene|||0000-0003-3746-4581, Albarracín Gordo, Lluís|||0000-0002-1387-5573
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2019
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:298813
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/298813
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Fermi problems
Mathematical modelling
Modelling sequences
Descripción
Sumario:104 students aged 8 to 16 worked on one Fermi problem involving estimating the number 19 of people that can fit in their school playground. We present a qualitative analysis of the 20 different mathematical models developed by the students. The analysis of the students' 21 written productions is based on the identification of the model of elements distribution 22 and the strategy used. The results show how the students adapt their solutions in order to 23 tackle the problem from their available knowledge. Indeed, younger students have 24 important difficulties to deal with two-dimensional mathematical contents, but they 25 overcome them by simplifying the problem. Finally, we also discuss the possibilities of 26 using the proposed problem as part of a sequence to promote mathematical modelling in 27 each educational stage, in basis of the potentialities identified in our analysis.