The popularization of mathematical knowledge through itinerant events held in a non-formal education space

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyze the importance of carrying out itinerant events to popularize mathematical knowledge. Our research question was to think if itinerant popularization events, in non-formal education spaces, awaken an interest in mathematics in the participating subjects. The context of our investigation was the experience of professors and academics from the Center for Education and Research in Science and Mathematics (CEICIM), who participated in the project “With Mathematics, independence is made”. The objective of the project was to popularize mathematical knowledge by promoting the scientific-technological and social inclusion of the participants through interactive activities. The project's events were held in non-formal teaching spaces, such as public squares, by offering modules that involved interactive experiments and an exhibition of famous mathematicians. We used the qualitative methodology, and as a source to collect data, videos and observation. We found that the presentation of Mathematics from different perspectives, with the use of ludic activities and the stimulus to the development of skills, it was possible, with the making of events in non-formal educational and itinerant spaces, to awaken in the participating subjects an interest in mathematics.