TRIAL

Rationale

Learning mathematics can be more meaningful, interesting and motivating if mathematical
concepts are made more tangible and authentic through concrete examples. In many
countries there is a serious gap between mathematical knowledge and corresponding
practical applications. This gap can be addressed with suitable models, demonstrations and
hands-on classroom activities.

Educators can improvise useful mathematics educational materials from daily and common
items, such as assorted recycled plastic and paper products, sticky tape, and common
stationery. It can give them new and fun approaches for mathematics learning and
popularisation.

With the least steps and tools, learners can make mathematical puzzles, 3D models and self-
propelled toys which illustrate important basic mathematical concepts. These well designed
inexpensive educational materials will enable educators to conduct attractive mathematics
lessons through group or individual activities.

About the Workshop

This workshop will introduce participants to a number of individual and group hands-on
mathematics activities. Each activity uses very common and affordable daily items to be made
into educational materials. Since inexpensive materials are used, participants will be able to
redesign and modify to suit their classroom lessons. This workshop opens the gateway to the
world of creative educational materials.

Objectives

At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

• appreciate efficiency, flexibility and possibility of low-cost and universally designed
mathematics materials;

• familiarise with basic utilisation of daily items and fundamental tools; and

• acquire the skills to design simple and fun mathematics educational materials.

Methodologies

This is a hands-on workshop. Participants will work individually or in groups of 5 or 6. Each
session will introduce inexpensive mathematics educational materials through step by step
instructions. Paper templates to make assorted toy/model parts and handouts that can
help participants repeat the same activities at their respective schools or institutions will be
provided.

Workshop Facilitator

Hideo Nakano is a specialist at the Training Programme Division, SEAMEO RECSAM,
Penang. He was a science teacher in Japan for 25 years. Since 2004, he has served as a
senior volunteer of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at National Science Centre
in Zambia, Wesley College of Education in Ghana, and Osizweni Education & Development
Centre in South Africa. As a volunteer, he trained science centre staff, science and mathematics
educators as well as students in dispatched countries.

Nakano was also a senior volunteer of JICA in SEAMEO RECSAM from
2010 to 2012. While he was here, he has conducted several Educational
Toy Workshops and Universal Design for Learning Science Workshops
for educators and researchers. Besides this, he also organised Kids Rule
Workshops for the Malaysia National Science Centre and conducted
International Workshop for Secondary Teachers for Science & Technology
Centre (Pusat Peragaan Ilmu Pengetahuan dan Teknologi), Indonesia.
During his service in Osizweni Education & Development Centre, he led the
centre into hosting an Afrobot Competition, held a South African Agency for

Science and Technology Advancement professional workshop, a Southern African Association
of Science and Technology Centres workshop, organised Early Childhood Development
practitioner workshops and science educator workshops to improve Science, Technology
and Mathematics education. On top of that, he also exchanged professional skills with major
science centres across South Africa.

Upon his return to SEAMEO RECSAM as a specialist in July 2014, Nakano has been
contributing to the science and mathematics popularisation through hands-on activities using
low-cost educational materials.

Workshop Programme

Time Activity

Day 1 (18 April 2016, Monday)

8.15 - 8.30 am Registration

8.30 - 10.30 am • Ice breaking demonstrations
• Workshop introduction
• Paper geometric puzzle
• Fujimoto cube
• Perfect square puzzle

10.30 - 11.00 am Group Photo & MORNING TEA

11.00 am - 1.00 pm • Magic square
• Flexible straw models
Tetrahedron
Cube
Octahedron
Icosahedron
Pyramids

1.00 - 2.30 pm LUNCH

2.30 - 4.30 pm • Flexible straw whistle
• Paper windmill
• Roto-copter and Roto-copter dropper
• Paper blade helicopter
• Rubber band helicopter

4.30 - 5.00 pm AFTERNOON TEA

Day 2 (19 April 2016, Tuesday)

8.30 - 10.30 am • Application of tetrahedrons
Wind car
Straw kite

10.30 - 11.00 am MORNING TEA

11.00 am - 1.00 pm • Rocket activity 1: Simple air pressure rocket (water rocket) competition
• Mathematical inquiry using water rocket

1.00 - 2.30 pm LUNCH

2.30 - 4.00 pm • Rocket activity 2:
Straw rocket
Paper tube rocket

4.00 - 4.30 pm Q & A session
Closing & Certificate Presentation Ceremony

4.30 - 5.00 pm AFTERNOON TEA

Note: This programme schedule may be subjected to changes without prior notice

Participation Fees
Type 1: RM 350.00 per participant (Without Accommodation)
Type 2: RM 480.00 per participant (Twin Sharing at RECSAM International House)
Type 3: RM 640.00 per participant (Single Occupancy at RECSAM International House)
Accommodation at RECSAM International House
Check-in: A day before, 2.00 pm onwards
Check-out: A day after, by 12.00 pm

Food
Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided by SEAMEO RECSAM during the
workshop sessions. For stay-in participants (Type 2 & Type 3), breakfast and dinner will be
provided too.

Submission and Closing Date
Places are limited to a maximum of 35 pax and will be given on a first come, first served
basis. All participation forms are to be submitted to the following latest by 8 April 2016:
Director
SEAMEO RECSAM,
Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah,
11700 Gelugor, Penang or by fax: 04-6522737

Local Order Information:
Pay to: SEAMEO RECSAM
Bank: MAYBANK GELUGOR BRANCH, PENANG
Account Number: 5571 5700 0647

For Enquiries:
Ms Noraini Daud / Ms Bhavani Ramasamy
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Telephone: 04-6522741 / 04-6522752

Participation Form

Name: ____________________________________________________________________

School / Organisation: _______________________________________________________

Gender: Male / Female

Telephone
Office: __________________ Home: __________________ Mobile: __________________
Email: ____________________________

Do you need accommodation at RECSAM International House?
Yes Type 2 Type 3 Date of check in: ________________
No Date of check out: _______________

I enclose a Cheque / Local Order / Postal Order
No: ____________ bearing the sum of RM ____________ as payment for the workshop.
(Please make cheque/local order/postal order payable to: SEAMEO RECSAM)
Note: To enroll please complete the PARTICIPATION FORM and send/fax it to:

Director, SEAMEO RECSAM, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 11700 Gelugor, Penang.
Fax: 04-6522737

Closing date for registration is 8 April 2016.

Signature: __________________________

Date: ______________________________