Certificate in Professional Development Programme on Mathematical Modelling in Secondary School STEAM Education BWP137

The programme addresses the pressing need for empowering teachers to infuse mathematical modelling into secondary Mathematics to promote STEAM education. It aims to equip secondary school teachers with knowledge and skills for the learning and teaching of mathematical modelling and to enhance their professional capacity in promoting STEAM education through Mathematics. 

On successful completion of the programme, participants will be able to: 

• demonstrate an understanding of theoretical underpinnings for the learning and teaching of mathematical modelling; 
• advance the knowledge about mathematical modelling in real-life and STEAM-related contexts; 
• design modelling tasks in STEAM to infuse STEAM learning into secondary school formal and school-based curriculum; 
• utilise appropriate information technology (IT) tools in the learning and teaching of mathematical modelling; and 
• enhance problem-solving and collaboration skills and teachers’ professional capacity and confidence in promoting STEAM education through mathematical modelling. 

The programme comprises the following three core courses of 3 credit points each:

Learning and Teaching of Mathematical Modelling in STEAM Education

This course focuses on the learning and teaching of mathematical modelling for the Hong Kong secondary Mathematics curriculum, aiming to enhance teachers’ professional capacity in promoting STEAM education through Mathematics. It will introduce various instructional theories and pedagogies that can be applied in designing and practicing mathematical modelling activities with a specific focus on STEAM disciplines. Participants will be led to develop effective strategies for infusing mathematical modelling into the formal and school-based curriculum of secondary Mathematics. Exemplary mathematical modelling activities will be explicated to illustrate how the instructional theories and pedagogies as well as technological knowledge and skills can be put into practice. Strategies to evaluate students’ performance in mathematical modelling activities will also be discussed. 

Solving Real-life Problems with Modelling Techniques

This course focuses on the modelling techniques required to formulate and solve mathematical problems in STEAM disciplines and to interpret and translate the solution into real-world terms. It will enrich participants’ knowledge of Mathematics, probability, and statistics in the Hong Kong secondary Mathematics curriculum. Skills and techniques of mathematical modelling on daily life examples and mathematical methods (e.g., mathematical models for data fitting with computer software) will be introduced. Training in data-driven model validation will also be provided. Various interesting examples of mathematical modelling from everyday life will be discussed to bridge the gap between theory and daily applications.

Designing Modelling Tasks in STEAM with Technology

This course focuses on the use of appropriate information technology (IT) tools to design STEAM-related modelling tasks in secondary Mathematics. Specifically, it will introduce the knowledge and skills to enhance the modelling process with technology, where mathematical exploration and visualisation can become interactive and immersive. Participants will learn the uses of geometric software, computational software, and other relevant applications for modelling. Computer workshops with hands-on practices will be provided to exemplify the application of various technological affordances related to mathematical modelling processes, such as exploration and visualisation. 

The medium of instruction is mainly Chinese (Cantonese) and will be supplemented by English where appropriate.

To be eligible for admission, applicants should be: 

• in-service secondary school teachers or panel heads with mathematical background; and 
• recommended by school principals. 

To be awarded a Certificate of Completion, participants must obtain a pass in all assessment tasks required and successfully fulfill the attendance requirements as stipulated by the programme. 

This Government-funded programme is supported by the Education Bureau (EDB). Schools which release teachers to take this programme are eligible for appointing supply teachers, if deemed necessary. Government and aided schools shall contact the EDB for detailed arrangements. Private and DSS schools shall make their own arrangements for the employment of supply teachers. 

Participants who complete our PDPs are eligible to apply for credit transfer if they enroll in our postgraduate programmes. Their applications will be considered on an individual basis. 

Remarks: Each school can recommend more than one teacher.