Math detection noses in Krefeld: Students discover the Fibonacci world!

Math detection noses in Krefeld: Students discover the Fibonacci world!

From June 11th to 17th, 2025, the school laboratory "Math-Spürnasen" at the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) in Krefeld is active. The project offers fourth graders: inside the opportunity to explore mathematical concepts through experimentation. The aim of the offer is to offer students an interactive learning environment, even for schools that cannot travel to Ude. This project is supported by the Krefeld school office as well as the Adolf and Margot Koelman Foundation. Mathematics didactics: Inside the UDE are active on site in the media library and convey mathematics in a vivid way.

in Krefeld is the focus of the program, among other things, on the Fibonacci episode, a fascinating mathematical concept that occurs in many areas of nature. The pupils: Inside, the Fibonacci episodes will get to know an infinite episode of natural numbers, which begins with 0, 1, 1 and continues through the sum of the two previous figures. The concept was named after the mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci, who used this number of numbers 1202 to describe the growth of a rabbit population. The Fibonacci numbers are not only relevant in mathematics, but also apply in nature, art and music.

mathematical topics in focus

The children can look forward to various mathematical topics such as Platonic bodies, Pascal’sches triangle, cubes as well as concepts around the circle and the square. A central topic this week is the exploration of the Fibonacci episode and its relationship with spirals, as can be found in nature.

The Fibonacci numbers are more than just a mathematical curiosity; They open up a deep understanding of growth patterns in nature. Interestingly, the quotient approaches successive Fibonacci numbers to the golden ratio, which also makes it significant for artists and designers. In antiquity, these numbers were already known to the Greeks and Indians, and they are used today in various areas of science and art.

Future view

After the first round in Krefeld, a continuation of the project for January 2026 is planned. Elementary school students: Inside, who are geographically closer to the UDE, also have the option of researching the laboratory during the lecture period. This offers a valuable opportunity to deal more intensively with the content of mathematics and to better understand natural phenomena through mathematical models.

The booklet "Experiments in Mathematics Lessons" by Friedrich Verlag also offers valuable ideas and materials with an experimental character that can be used in class. The topics include experimental game theory and connections to everyday life that can be of great importance for the students: inside. Such resources could also be used as part of the "math nose" program to further promote the mathematical understanding of the children.