MathIS - Reinvigorating Mathematics for the Information Society
FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-007254
Our Vision
The Information Society requires highly qualified professionals who can design
complex systems with increasing levels of safety and reliability. But it also
requires a high degree of "mathematical proficiency" from its individuals,
meaning the ability to use mathematical language and methods to model
situations/scenarios and reason productively through these models in order to
solve problems. This literacy and capability has become a key element
of democratic citizenship.
This project gathers computer scientists, math teachers,
mathematicians and others who recognize the need for new approaches to
the teaching and learning of mathematical skills. We aim to exploit and combine
the dynamics of algorithmic problem solving and calculational reasoning
on both maths education and the practice of software engineering,
boosting the abilities students need to overcome the challenges they will
encounter through life.
The overall approach stems from two decades of research on
correct-by-construction program design which brought to scene a whole discipline
of problem-solving and shed light on the underlying mathematical structures,
modeling and reasoning principles. A most relevant consequence has been
the systematization of a calculational style of reasoning which can greatly
improve on the traditional verbose proofs in natural language, proceeding
in a formal, essentially syntactic way
Read more.
Team
Goals
The project aims to produce relevant contributions in the following areas:
- Design calculi foundations and principles.
- Calculational methods and the principles of algorithimic problem solving, as a basis for reinvigorating the teaching and practice of Mathematics in the context of modern IT-driven societies.
- Innovative computer-based tools to support the envisaged methodological shifts.
Results
Project info