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OPENING CEREMONY
OPENING CEREMONY PROGRAMME (CLICK HERE)
INVITED SPEAKER 1
Robert Geretschläger*,
President World Federation of National Mathematics Competitions (WFNMC), Austria
Title of Talk: Mathematics Competitions Around the World in 2024
At the Opening Ceremony: 13 March, 2024, Tor-Vergata University of Rome, Italy
Abstract of plenary talk
The mathematical competition scene is booming internationally. There are many good reasons for this, as competitions are enjoyable in their own right, as well as providing opportunities for skill enhancement, networking with like-minded peers, and more. In my talk, I would like to take the opportunity to present some of the wonderful aspects of competition mathematics, as well as giving a brief overview of the expanding world of national and international mathematics competitions.
*Short bio
Robert Geretschläger is a teacher of mathematics and geometry, born in Toronto, Canada and living in Graz, Austria. He taught at Bundesrealgymnasium Keplerstraße in Graz for nearly 40 years, and is still active as a lecturer in teacher education. He is the editor and co-author of numerous books on popular mathematics, competition mathematics and the geometry of origami. For most of his career, he has been actively involved in the organisation of mathematics competitions. He has been leader of the Austrian team at the International Mathematical Olympiad since 2007 and the leading organizer of the Mathematical Kangaroo in Austria since its beginning in the mid-1990s. He is the current President of the World Federation of Mathematics Competitions.
Georgios Tzachristas *,
Student, National Technical University of Athens
Title of Talk: STEAME EDUCATION: A CAREER CATALYST
At the Opening Ceremony: 13 March, 2024, Tor-Vergata University of Rome, Italy
Abstract of plenary talk 2
STEAME education is a crucial guiding factor for professional development. This approach combines science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics and entrepreneurship in education, preparing students for modern jobs. Focused on developing skills such as creativity and collaborative work, STEAME education equips students for successful careers and addressing future challenges. I would be happy to serve as case study, since my personal STEAME trip has empowered many skills, a lot of confidence, new ideas and many important human contacts. My STEAME trip has involved travelling, teleconferencing, co-creating, posting problems, solving problems, developing digital skills, exchanging ideas, discussing, publishing articles, winning prizes, networking and interacting. In conclusion, STEAME education is a powerful building tool for a flexible innovative generation of people that are based on knowledge, ethics, collaboration and technology, in other words a CAREER CATALYST.
*Short bio
Georgios Tzachristas is a medalist at the Greek mathematical competitions and Olympiads, at the Mediterranean Mathematics Competition, at the European Mathematical Cup, at the Balkan Mathematical Olympiads and at the International Mathematical Olympiads. In July 2023, he became a GOLD IMO MEDALIST at the 64th IMO in Japan, with the best Greek score 35/42 at IMO ever! He has also got medals/awards at chess tournaments, physics and riddles competitions, HMS and EMS schools, E3SN committee as chair, articles and math solutions at the Euclides-B and the Plato magazines. Moreover, he is a pianist, athlete, dancer, English and German speaker and currently a freshman at the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens.