Supported by UNESCO and funded by Huawei Technologies as part of the “Revitalizing STEM education to equip next generations with STEM competency” project, INSOLVU involved a design research lesson study based on professional development for mathematics teacher educators and teachers. 15 primary mathematics teacher educators, 1 head of school, 7 deputy heads of school, 18 teachers and 6 learning support educators benefitted from learning about teaching mathematics through problem-solving. Eventually, 177 primary school students will benefit from the lessons taught.
To share and celebrate the work of all those involved in INSOLVU, on Wednesday 26 February 2025, a closing event was held. Following a short speech by the two project leaders and the launch of the project video, the UNESCO Associate Project Officer from the UNESCO Office in Venice, Ms Laura Bortolutti, gave her welcoming speech. The climax of the event, attended by 92 educators, were the presentations by the 6 lesson study teams from the six different primary schools who shared their lesson study experiences and their learning about teaching mathematics through problem-solving.
Through a panel discussion, 6 of the 15 primary mathematics teacher educators also shared their experiences of facilitating work with teachers. Another panel discussion, involving the participating of two Faculty of Education mathematics teacher educators (Prof. Marie Therese Farrugia and Prof. Michael Buhagiar) and a MEYR education officer of mathematics (Mr Jonathan Mifsud) focused on the meaning, purpose, benefits and challenges of teaching mathematics through problem-solving. The event was concluded with a commentary by Prof. Christopher Bezzina, from the Faculty of Education, who presented his reactions to the ideas and experiences shared and who then delved into what the future could possibly hold for the sustainability of the high-quality work presented.
As a way forward, the project leaders in close collaboration with those involved, will launch the INSOLVU project video together with three other shorter 2-minute videos focusing on three key aspects promoted within the project:
- Teaching mathematics through problem-solving,
- Lesson study, and
- Collaboration.
Moreover, the participating teachers will be supported to produce and publish a report of their lesson study. This report, which will be published in the open access Malta Review of Educational Research journal, will serve as a resource for other teachers. This dissemination is critical for the sustainability and the long-term goals set by the project leaders.
