Abstract
In a three year research project, annual mathematics talent searches for highly able and motivated twelve year old students were conducted. Of these, 150 took part in a long term Saturday enrichment program to train their mathematical abilities in problem finding and problem solving. The article first discusses the educational and organizational constraints of programs for gifted children. Mathematical giftedness is defined by high achievement in two tests: The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT-M) and the HTMB, a set of seven problems specially devised for the talent search. The philosophy of the teaching program is explained and illustrated by examples. Preliminary results indicate the considerable success of the program. Possible consequences for normal classroom teaching are indicated.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Benbow C. P. and Benbow R. M.: 1984, ‘Biological correlates of high mathematical reasoning ability’,Progress in Brain Research 61, 469–490.
Benbow C. P. and Stanley J. C. (eds.): 1983,Academic Precocity. Aspects of Its Development, The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and London.
CMJ—The College Mathematics Journal 1984, Vol. 15, No. 5-several papers on discrete mathematics.
CMJ—The College Mathematics Journal 1985, Vol. 16, No. 16-several papers on algorithmic thinking.
Dörner D., Kreuzig H. W., Reither F. and Stäudel T. (eds.): 1983,Lohhausen.Vom Umgang mit Unbestimmtheit und Komplexität. Hans Huber, Bern, Stuttgart, Wien.
Kießwetter K.: 1985, ‘Die Förderung von mathematisch besonders begabten und interessierten Schülern-ein bislang vernachlässigtes sonderpädagogisches Problem’,Der methematische und naturwissenschaftliche Unterricht 38, 300–306.
Kießwetter K. and Rosenkranz R.: 1982, ‘Das Problem der verschneiten Straßen’,Der Mathematikunterricht 28, 5–26.
Krutetskii V. A.: 1976,The Psychology of Mathematical Abilities in Schoolchildren, The University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
Lakatos I.: 1976,Proofs and Refutations. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
Polya G.: 1945,How to Solve It: Princeton University Press, Princeton.
Schildkamp-Kündiger E.: 1974,Frauenrolle und Mathematikunterricht, Schwann, Düsseldorf (Studien zur Lehrforschung Bd. 8).
Steen L. A.: 1981,Mathematics Tomorrow, Julius Springer, New York, Heidelberg, Berlin.
Zimmermann, B.: 1977, ‘Analyse des Problemlöseverhaltens bei Aufgaben aus der Inzidenzgeometrie. Eine exploratorische Studie mit Studenten und Schülern’, Dissertation, Paderborn. Published by: University Microfilms International C, No. 79-70, 021.
Zimmermann, B.: 1980, ‘Analyzing problem solving processes involved with problems from incidence geometry-an exploratory’, ERIC No. ED 191 685, Columbus.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wagner, H., Zimmermann, B. Identification and fostering of mathematically gifted students. Educ Stud Math 17, 243–260 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00305072
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00305072