Investigating Lotka-Volterra model using computer simulation

In this project we study the Lotka-Volterra model, also known as the model describing the population dynamics in the Predator-prey system. This model describes the interaction of the two species and also the development of their populations over time. We simulate this model using the fourth-order Runge-Kutta algorithm. This is the most widely used method for numerical solution of ordinary differential equations. Based on the obtained program, we simulated two populations and traced their behavior over time. We optimized the parameters and managed to obtain results that are very close to real data for such populations.

Building an Instrument by Generating a Function

Building a musical instrument requires precise calculations of the positions of its holes to obtain desired notes. To make these calculations, sound waves should be examined. Sound is a longitudinal wave and has five distinguishing aspects: amplitude, frequency, wavelength, period, and speed. A note is characterized by the frequency of the wave. In this experiment, the frequencies of notes and the speed of sound in air is used to calculate the length of a closed-end tube needed to obtain that frequency. Then, these values of lengths are used to create sound and the frequencies are measured with a tuner. The water level is changed until the desired frequency is reached. Then, a graph of length and 1/frequency is drawn to experimentally determine the slope, from which a function of length of tube is written in terms of frequency. With this equation, length required for any note can be calculated.

Exponential functions through a real-world context

The exponential function as a mathematical concept plays an important role in the corpus of mathematical knowledge, but unfortunately students have problems grasping it. Paper exposes examples of exponential function application in a real-world context.

Η αξιοποίηση της εκπαιδευτικής ρομποτικής και της εκπαίδευσης STEAM για την προσέγγιση της αειφόρου εκπαίδευσης

Η εργασία αυτή επικεντρώνεται στη βιωματική προσέγγιση της εκπαίδευσης για την αειφορία από μαθητές προσχολικής ηλικίας. Κατά τη φάση του σχεδιασμού και της διεξαγωγής του προγράμματος εφαρμόζεται έρευνα δράσης και μελέτη πεδίου, ενώ ως μεθοδολογικά εργαλεία για την επίτευξη μιας ποιοτικής μορφής εκπαίδευσης αξιοποιούνται η κοινωνικοπολιτισμική προσέγγιση στη διδακτική των φυσικών επιστημών, η εκπαιδευτική ρομποτική, οι νέες τεχνολογίες, η μηχανική, οι τέχνες και τα μαθηματικά. Το πλαίσιο έρευνας ολοκληρώνεται με τη διαδικασία αποτίμησης, της χρήσης ερωτηματολογίων και συνεντεύξεων, αλλά και τη διάχυση των μαθησιακών αποτελεσμάτων του έργου από τους ίδιους τους μαθητές.

Implementing Science Theater

Since 2006, we were implementing a numerous of educational projects on teaching Science - i.e experiments with low-cost materials, developing and using online scenarios, integrating embodied outdoor activities in our physics lesson and engaging the whole school in Interdisciplinary Astronomy Activities. The most fruitful one, in terms of motivating students, was science theater. Science theater - by doing research on scientific topics, writing down the script, organising a play and communicating our efforts - highlights the need of more and systematic (inclusive) thematic learning throughout school topics. Here we will present our last effort, giving a glimpse of our way of work, putting together document theater, science theater and science fiction.

Fingerprints – are they unique human’s codes?

Have you ever looked carefully at your fingertips? What do you see? You can see many bumps and bridges on your fingertips. Those patterns are called dermatoglyphs. Dactyloscopy is a discipline that uses papillary lines. Fingerprints can be used in solving crimes, like key or password to open the phone or tablets. They are formed before the birth and they are permanent and unique. There are three main patterns in fingerprints: arch, loop and whorl. Are there any similarities between human fingerprints? We decided to test are the human fingerprints inherited. We took fingerprint patterns among members of the same family and as well among group of students in the class. After the investigation we confirm that there are some similarities in fingerprints among the members among the same family.

Preserve and spread of traditional plant varieties

The seeds of the traditional varieties which we have inherited from our ancestors thousands of years ago are vanishing in our days and with them we are losing our connection with them and the biodiversity. In this eTwinning project teachers and students aimed at becoming an ark with the mission to protect and save these seeds. We started our quest by making our questionnaire which was simple since it consisted of three questions but would ultimately tell the story of how the traditional seeds were inherited to us. Students researched within their family and neighborhood context. The findings of their research showed that only about 10% of the students found seeds of traditional vegetable varieties. Subsequently we tried to multiply these seeds by cultivating them and spreading them to our school and our community.

Aurora borealis and the arctic climate change: is there any relation?

In our study we tested the hypothesis that one of the causes of climate change could also be the recently observed solar hyperactivity, since it differentiates the way clouds are formed. We analyzed, from specific databases, the speed (km/s) and the proton density (p/cm3) of the solar storms in the atmosphere along with the ambient temperature and the ice extent in the arctic over the last eleven (11) years. Our study indicates indeed an explicit increase of the speed and the density of the solar wind. A not so definite analogy between the temperature’s increase and the limitation of the arctic ice extent is also noticed. Yet, the period studied is short to establish a clear relation between the rise of temperature with the enhanced solar activity. A further investigation should be followed, documenting values of more solar activity and climate change parameters during longer periods of recent time to make safe conclusions.

Remote Learning During COVID-19 in Hisar School

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools around the world have had to implement remote learning practices. The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of students towards the remote learning practices adapted by Hisar School during the COVID-19 pandemic. Three questionnaires with questions that asked students to reflect on their motivation levels, ability to complete assignments on time, contact their teachers, access school resources and other learning activities were sent to the entire high-school population of Hisar School. Our findings demonstrate that Hisar high school students had positive attitudes regarding the remote learning practices of their school, although 12th grade students had the lowest motivation scores and consequently lower positive attitudes. Additionally, students had difficulty accessing the school library’s online resources. Lastly, students preferred to complete assignments at their own pace rather than in predetermined self-study hours.