Turkey’s ‘Mathematics Movement’ project started in Aydın.

Under the Kangaroo Mathematics umbrella, the mobile mathematics museums designed by Metin Akyol have kicked off the mathematics movement project in Turkey from Aydın. The aim of the project is stated to be to make mathematics enjoyable and to create mathematical awareness. It was mentioned that the project involves five mobile museums, one logistical vehicle, ten teachers, six transport personnel, two call center staff, and one operations manager.

Kangaroo Mathematics Director Özgür Özdemir stated, “In Turkey’s ‘Mathematics Movement’ project, we want to emphasize two learning approaches: a play-based learning approach in early childhood and primary school, and a connectivism approach in middle and high school. According to a study conducted on medical students at Stanford University, it was observed that a positive attitude toward mathematics enhances the performance of the hippocampus, a significant memory center in the brain, thereby increasing a child’s success in mathematics independently from IQ. Attitude is indeed very important; a positive attitude offers a greater and unique contribution to mathematical success than the contribution of IQ. Therefore, we adopt a play-based approach in our pre-school and primary school program to encourage children to exhibit a positive attitude. Additionally, a study conducted on 3,800 children at Cambridge University revealed that mathematics education through play under the guidance of teachers contributes more significantly to children’s mathematical literacy than traditional methods. The Project Zero organization within the Harvard University Graduate School of Education supports learning through play, particularly in countries like the USA, Denmark, South Africa, and Colombia, emphasizing the importance of learning through play and the need for research and development in this area,” he noted, indicating that they have designed mathematics as a game through this project.

Özdemir mentioned that within the framework of the project, they will start the work with 7 museums in November and will raise it to 10 museums in December, stating, “In today’s world, the non-linear use of information, the speed and change of information, the necessity for individuals to carry out operations without completely mastering the information, and the relationships between information in different fields have limited traditional learning theories. Connectivism will be the educational approach of the new era. The fundamental principle of this approach will be interdisciplinary relationships. We are trying to emphasize the play-based education approach in pre-school and primary schools and the connectivism approach in middle and high schools through mathematics museums. This is the most important goal of the mathematics movement in Turkey.”

Erçin Temurayak, Chairman of the Board of Metiner Group, a partner of Kangaroo Mathematics mobile museums, stated, “Economically, most of what we know in the Industry 4.0 production model will be performed by artificial intelligence. The foundation of using artificial intelligence most efficiently is algorithmic thinking and mathematical approaches. To elevate our country to a better position in the new paradigm era, we must develop our children’s mathematical literacy to the highest level. That’s why we have taken action. In my opinion, the issue of mathematics is a matter of our homeland,” he noted, adding that they will solve this issue by encouraging everyone to love mathematics.