Graph Theory for Primary School Students with High Skills in Mathematics

Rocío Blanco and Melody García-Moya
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Rocío Blanco: Facultad de Educación, Campus Universitario s/n, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain
Melody García-Moya: Facultad de Educación, Campus Universitario s/n, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain

Mathematics, 2021, vol. 9, issue 13, 1-15

Abstract: Graph theory is a powerful representation and problem-solving tool, but it is not included in present curriculum at school levels. In this study we perform a didactic proposal based in graph theory, to provide students useful and motivational tools for problem solving. The participants, who were highly skilled in mathematics, worked on map coloring, Eulerian cycles, star polygons and other related topics. The program included six sessions in a workshop format and four creative sessions where participants invented their own mathematical challenges. Throughout the experience they applied a wide range of strategies to solve problems, such as look for a pattern, counting strategies or draw the associated graph, among others. In addition, they created as challenges the same type of problems posed in workshops. We conclude that graph theory successfully increases motivation of participants towards mathematics and allows the appearance and enforcement of problem-solving strategies.

Keywords: mathematical problem solving; graph theory; elementary education; gifted students (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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