Dr. Steven Greenstein

Department of Mathematical Sciences

Montclair State University

"Developing a Qualitative Geometry from the Conceptions of Young Children"

This project sets out to develop a new form of non-metric geometry from young children's intuitive and informal topological, or at least non-metric, ideas. I conducted an eighteen-week teaching experiment with two children, ages six and seven. I developed a new dynamic geometry environment called Configure that I used in tandem with clinical interviews in each of the episodes of the experiment to elicit these children’s non-metric conceptions and support their development. I found that these children developed significant and authentic forms of geometric reasoning. It is these findings that I refer to as Qualitative Geometry.

When: October 10, 2012, 4:00-5:00pm

Where: RI-222