Submitted Abstract
Children are proud of learning to count and are aware of the fact that this helps them in everyday life. Nevertheless, after some years this fascination is lost. Very few teenagers associate mathematics to playing, exploring, discovering and being social. The main reason is that common stereotypes and fears have spread. School mathematics alone is not enough to convince pupils that intuition and creativity are important, yes, even in mathematics. Later on, when teenagers choose their studies, they look for a subject that fascinates them: how can they like mathematics if they have never truly experienced it?In 2018, the EXPMATH project will bring the exhibition “Pourquoi les mathématiques?” into the Lycées Classiques of Luxembourg and the Forum Geesseknäppchen in Luxembourg City. This interactive mathematical exhibition has been displayed in 40 countries. It consists of more than 30 hands-on activities and larger objects, and more than 25 colourful explanation panels. Since its creation in 2004, it has been visited worldwide by more than 1,5 million people.There will also be scientific events around the exhibition, and the University offers to each school various (not mutually excluding) possibilities:- A mathematical workshop on a specific subject (five different topics are available).- Up to three mathematical talks given by professional mathematicians.- A discussion about research with mathematicians at various stages of their career.- One workshop about counteracting gender stereotypes, with female scientists as role models.The project EXPMATH will let pupils discover the scientific method through the various interactive activities of the exhibition in a playful way. The complementary scientific events will further develop an understanding of scientific professions and provide the framework for a dialogue between pupils and researchers. The exhibition and the related events promote not only mathematics but science in general, and will have a long-lasting impact on the pupils.