Development and implementation of the educational project MicroMath

• Grant number: 25/06208-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Principal Investigator: Beny Spira
• Grantee: Laís Alves da Costa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/10577-0 - Biology of Bacteria and Bacteriophages Research Center, AP.CEPID

Abstract

We live in an era of science and technology. While science deals with the material world, it also requires a high degree of abstraction, due in part to the heavy use of mathematics, but also due to the need to formulate hypotheses, design experiments, and assess their conclusions based on abstract concepts. The purpose of the micromath program is to strengthen mathematical concepts through simple but clever microbiology experiments. Students interested in science pedagogy will be recruited to develop a protocol for implementing a series of experiments in high-school laboratories. The protocol of lab activities will then be brought to schools, where it will be adjusted and improved as necessary.