The river Pregel divides the town of Konigsburg into four separate land masses.

Seven bridges connect the various parts of town.

Is it possible to go for a walk in Konigsburg, crossing each bridge once and only once?

Many interesting discrete mathematics problems, like this famous problem about the bridges in Konigsburg, can be stated in ways completely accessible to elementary school students. Inclusion of discrete mathematics in the elementary school curriculum, particularly at the middle school level, is becoming standard because it helps the students:

• reason mathematically
• develop problem solving skills
• experience numbers in a new and exciting context
• prepare for algebra

In this course, teachers will learn about discrete mathematics and how to include many problems in their classrooms. Each day of the workshop features:

• an activity-based presentation of the topic
• problems which the participants work on, individually and in groups, to reinforce the content
• the opportunity for participants to present their own solutions to the problems
• discussion of possible classroom implementations

A resource book, including classroom activities, will be provided for each participant. The materials were developed by Robert Hochberg and Valerie Debellis from Discrete Teaching.

For workshop information contact Judith Sallee at jsallee@harpercollege.edu and (847)272-9164 or Janice Nekola at UIC at nekola@uic.edu and (312) 996-2439.

The UIC Initiative for Math and Science Teacher Content Education has been funded by the Illinois Board of Higher Education in conjunction with the No Child Left Behind Act.