Mutating Messages - A Public Experiment

问题是，你实际上是如何做研究的？可能每个研究人员都很熟悉，尤其是那些从事数学或统计学工作的人。很难给出一个好的答案--我们可能会说思想实验和物理实验是一样的，但这仍然是一个抽象的解释。这项建议的目的，是以一个具体的例子来回答这个问题。通过一个名为“突变信息”的互动实验，我们将要求一个中学班级产生数据，这些数据将实际用于验证EPSRC支持的科学研究的前沿。在第二次访问期间，我们将让学生参与得出适当的科学结论，并讨论研究领域的潜在利益。通过Facebook页面，我们将与班级保持联系，直到下一学年。当然，我们希望他们告诉他们的朋友，但一个专业的视频也将捕捉实验，并通过互联网提供给每个人。我们将提供在线教学资源，以便任何数学班主任都可以在自己的教室里重现实验。该实验将与斯温顿高中合作开发，以确保最大的教育效益。它将加强GCSE数学课程的关键领域，包括代数，几何和统计。在线教学资源将提供基于实验的课程，但针对不同的教育关键阶段-从针对年轻班级的描述性研究，到提供更高级主题的“A”级课程。专业的视频制作公司将确保高视频制作价值，使内容更容易获得。将利用调查人员所在大学的现有外联渠道向当地学校宣传网络资源，并将尽可能广泛地向受众提供网络内容。

The question But how do you actually DO research? is probably familiar to every researcher - not least those working in Mathematics or Statistics. It can be difficult to give a good answer - we might talk about thought experiments being the same as physical experiments, but this is still an abstract explanation. This proposal aims to answer the question with a concrete example. Through an interactive experiment called 'Mutating Messages', we will ask a secondary school class to produce data which will actually be used to verify cutting edge, EPSRC supported scientific research. During a second visit, we will involve the class in drawing appropriate scientific conclusions and discussing the potential benefits of the research area. Through a Facebook page, we will keep in touch with the class well into their next academic year. Of course we expect them to tell their friends, but a professional video will also capture the experiment and make it accessible to everybody through the internet. We will provide online teaching resources so that any Mathematics class teacher can recreate the experiment in their own classroom. The experiment will be developed in partnership with The Swinton High School, to ensure maximum educational benefit. It will reinforce key areas of the GCSE Mathematics curriculum including algebra, geometry and statistics. Online teaching resources will offer lessons based around the experiment, but targeted at different educational key stages - from descriptive studies for younger classes, to an 'A' level lesson offering more advanced topics. A professional video production company will ensure high video production values, to make the content more accessible. Existing outreach channels at the Investigators' respective Universities will be used to advertise the web resources to local schools, and the web content will be made available to the widest possible audience.