Resumen de Mathematical walks in search of symmetries: from visualization to conceptualization

Umberto Dello Iacono, Eva Ferrada

• This work refers to a research project named ‘Math walks’, whose aim is to investigate a few students’ common conceptions and dif- ficulties related to symmetries as well as to guide the student in the transition from visualization to conceptualization. As far as this issue is concerned, we designed a learning activity (LA) according to Dina van Hiele-Geldof and Pierre van Hiele’s theory of the development of geometric thought and we have experimented LA with sixth- grade students. Data show that LA seems to be effective in revealing students’ difficulties about symmetries, on the one hand, and in pro- viding students scaffolding to overcome them, on the other. From the data collected in the experimentation, new research questions arise.