Using an interdisciplinary approach to the teaching of solid geometry in a professional development course for preschool and primary school teachers

Abstract

This paper presents some results of a professional development course for teachers where the participants studied basic solid geometry and developed applied projects in an interdisciplinary context. The course took place in a Portuguese university, from February to May 2020, and involved 19 teachers of preschool and primary levels (grades 1 to 4).
The authors have developed a qualitative case study to evaluate how an interdisciplinary approach to the teaching of solid geometry is perceived, by the mathematics teachers, as a contribution to the teaching/learning process of geometry. Overall, the activities developed have proved to be successful examples of interdisciplinary methodologies. Moreover, the approach followed during the course helped the teachers develop their geometric competences concerning solid geometry in a more consistent appropriation and application of the geometric concepts involved.