NATURAL SCIENCE UNDERSTANDING AND MATHEMATICAL ABILITIES EDUCATION USING THE PROJECT MaT2SMC DIDACTIC MATERIAL

Abstract

Natural science and mathematics are closely related. Natural sciences investigate natural phenomena, which are described by mathematical equations and relationships, mathematical models of natural phenomena are created. The same concepts, logical thinking tools, analysis, experimentation, etc., are used both in mathematics and natural sciences. However, very often the students see mathematics and natural sciences as completely different subjects, and very often it is impossible the lessons learnt of one subject to apply to another. Therefore, it is necessary to interrelate the knowledge of these subjects so that the pupils can form knowledge systems, they can understand that what they learn at school is the whole, not a collection of separate, single, unrelated facts. The pupils should also understand not only what unites, but also what separates natural sciences and mathematics: natural science research object is material world, whereas mathematics investigates abstract laws, irrespective of whether they have the meaning in the material world. The teachers often work individually, there is little of integrated activity. A little wider and deeper cooperation is noticed in natural science teachers’ group. One of the project MaT2SMC tasks is to prepare didactic material, adjusted to cooperative teaching (Math&SE). Therefore, the international natural science and mathematics scientist team prepared teaching/learning material, which is useful both for mathematics and natural science teachers. The material is prepared, seeking to increase the competencies of both subjects at the same time, giving a possibility for interdisciplinary teaching and cooperation between natural science and mathematics teachers, which appears from common lesson planning and teaching teamwork. This material was approved in various countries and analysed by two project experts. The material was piloted in seminars, in which mathematics and natural science pedagogues, students – future teachers and pupils participated. The feedback showed, that the given approach to mathematics and natural science education is a successful way for the creation of positive atmosphere during the teaching process. Teachers and pupils are naturally involved into the investigated problem, they become more open for communication. Key words: integrated activity, interdisciplinary teaching, knowledge systems, science education.