Collaborative Research: Learning Discrete Mathematics and Computer Science via Primary Historical Sources

跨学科（99）和数学科学（21）。为了给离散数学和计算机科学课程注入活力，该项目正在开发基于原始历史资料的模块化课程材料，这些材料突出或阐明了有限数学和算法思想背后某些概念的发现。最初的一套20到25个历史项目，范围从初级到高级本科水平，包括用于各种数学和计算机科学课程的跨学科资源指南。一个基于网络的版本也可作为在线资源。由不同机构的教师组成的网络正在课堂上测试这些材料，测试人员也签约创建自己的模块，为主要资源指南做出贡献。该提案的智力价值在于通过对推动这些学科发展的主要历史资料的检查，为有限数学、组合学、算法设计、数据结构、逻辑、抽象代数和自动机理论等课程提供动机、视角和方向。该提案的更广泛影响包括：在各种机构进行外部现场测试，从社区学院到四年制文理学院再到大型公立大学；发展教师在使用历史项目方面的专业知识；以及对职前数学教师的项目教育。这两所领先的大学也有大量的西班牙裔学生，这进一步增加了该项目产生更广泛影响的潜力。

Interdisciplinary (99) and Mathematical Sciences (21). To invigorate courses in discrete mathematics and computer science, this project is developing modular course materials based on primary historical sources that highlight or illuminate the discovery of certain concepts underlying finite mathematics and algorithmic thought. An initial set of twenty to twenty-five historical projects ranging from a beginning to an advanced undergraduate level comprise an interdisciplinary resource guide for use in a variety of mathematics and computer science courses. A web-based version is also available as an online resource. A network of faculty at a diverse set of institutions is classroom testing the material, with testers also signing on to create their own modules to contribute to the main resource guide. The intellectual merit of the proposal lies in providing motivation, perspective, and direction to these courses in finite mathematics, combinatorics, algorithm design, data structures, logic, abstract algebra, and automata theory via an examination of primary historical sources that compelled the development of these subjects. The broader impacts of the proposal include: external site testing at a diverse collection of institutions, from community colleges to four-year liberal arts colleges to large public universities; the development of faculty expertise in the use of historical projects; and the education of pre-service teachers in mathematics with projects. The two lead institutions also have a significant Hispanic student enrollment, which further increases the project's potential for broader impacts.