Educational Innovation

Course description

The course consists of four modules. The aim of the course is to introduce students to the main steps in organizing Olympiads of mathematics and informatics, the selection process and conduct of Summer Research schools, the specific features of Science Fairs and extra curriculum activities.

Language of instruction

English

Instructors

• Emil Kolev (IMI-BAS),
• Emil Kelevedjiev (IMI-BAS),
• Stanislav Harizanov (IMI-BAS),
• Konstantin Delchev (IMI-BAS),
• Albena Vasileva (IMI-BAS)

General learning objectives for PhD students

The aim of the course is to give the PhD students an overall understanding of the organization and problems of mathematics and informatics competitions, science fairs, research schools, etc. Each particular scientific event will be discussed in detail by outlining important stages, main difficulties and peculiarities. As a byproduct, it is expected the students to be aware of how school boys and girls are encouraged and prepared to participate in science events concerning STEM activities.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course the candidate should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

After completion of the course, the candidate:

• Has a broad understanding of the principles behind organizing mathematics and informatics competitions
• Has knowledge about the organization of research schools and selection procedures
• Has insight into the importance of STEM activities

Skills

After completion of the course, the candidate:

• Can develop, maintain and administrate competitions in mathematics and informatics
• Can discuss the main issues concerning research schools
• Can organize and evaluate extra curriculum activities

Course contents by modules

Module 1: Preparation and organization of mathematics and informatics competitions

Instructors: Emil Kolev, Stanislav Harizanov, Emil Kelevedgiev

Module 2: Organization of Research Schools for high school students

Instructors: Emil Kolev, Konstantin Delchev, Albena Vasileva

Module 3: Organization of Science Fairs

Instructors: Konstantin Delchev, Albena Vasileva, Emil Kolev

Module 4: Extracurricular activities

Instructors: Stanislav Harizanov, Emil Kolev, Emil Kelvedgiev

Specific terms

Pre-requirements

Master Degree or equivalent in disciplines relevant to STEM, digital humanities or historical sciences

Compulsory Requirements

English language, Basic computer competences

Pre-requisite knowledge

• Basic knowledge of school mathematics and informatics.
• Understanding the main goals of STEM activities.

Compulsory assignments:

• Completion of a personal project

Form of assessment

Grading of a personal project developed over the course and reviewed for both applicability and engineering soundness.

Who may participate?

The course is primarily for PhD candidates.

ANNOTATION

The Institute of Mathematics and Informatics (IMI-BAS) is the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences’s only research unit in the area of mathematics and one of the country’s leaders in the domains of informatics and computer science.

The Institute’s mission is to conduct high-quality research in the field of mathematics and computer science and to provide expertise and assistance in the development and application of the national education programmes in mathematics and informatics at all levels.

The IMI’s research staff are divided into 9 separate departments and one temporary research team. Work is carried out on research themes, grouped into:

• Interinstitutional projects funded by BAS’s budget;
• Projects sponsored by the National Science Fund;
• Projects within European and international programmes;
• Innovation and technology transfer projects.

There are 19 permanent research seminars at the Institute. IMI publishes or supports the publishing of four research journals. The IMI’s Library is considered by our numerous foreign visitors as one of the best mathematical libraries in South-East Europe.

IMI-BAS is well integrated into the global scientific community. Each year the Institute welcomes over 200 foreign scholars, organises 15 international scientific conferences, seminars and schools.

The following course materials are available in ISPAS Zenodo community. All files are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License.