Bringing mathematics closer to the classroom to awaken scientific vocations

IMSE researchers bring science outreach to schools to mark International Mathematics Day

Last Saturday, March 14th, was International Mathematics Day, a day promoted by UNESCO and the International Mathematical Union that highlights the fundamental role of this science as a universal language for understanding and modeling the world around us. And it's no coincidence that this day is celebrated on March 14th (3/14), as it refers to the number p, a fundamental value that appears in numerous areas of science and engineering.

During the week, the Institute of Microelectronics of Seville wanted to join this initiative by giving special prominence to this mathematical constant, widely used in the field of microelectronics and, therefore, in the daily work of our colleagues.

On this occasion, in addition to carrying out outreach activities through social media, two researchers from our Institute visited three schools with the aim of conveying to students the importance of mathematics, not only as a fundamental tool, but also as a way to better understand the world around us.

Our colleague Gustavo Liñán traveled to the province of Ciudad Real, specifically to the town of La Solana, to give a talk to 4th-year ESO (secondary school) students. High School. The lecture, titled "The Number Pi: ??Its History, Calculation, and Its Relationship with Chance," was held as part of Ciudad Ciencia (Science City), a project of the Deputy Vice-Presidency for Scientific Culture and Citizen Science of the CSIC (Spanish National Research Council).

This same activity was replicated at the Vicente Aleixandre High School in Seville, where students showed great interest and curiosity about how chance can help us estimate the number p using the Monte Carlo method.

Meanwhile, our colleague Piedad Brox aimed to introduce mathematics to younger children. To this end, she visited the San Francisco de Paula International School, where 3rd and 5th grade students learned how mathematics helps us care for our planet, prevent climate change, and protect the ecosystems and animals that inhabit them.

Initiatives like these highlight the importance of bringing mathematics closer to society from an early age, sparking curiosity and critical thinking in young people. At the Institute of Microelectronics of Seville, we continue to promote outreach activities that help demonstrate how mathematics and science are an essential part of our daily lives and the development of future technologies.