Mathematical Duel The project in question involves development and background of a mathematical competition between students of schools in Austria, Czech Republic and Poland. The competition itself is a further development of one that has been taking part on an annual basis for 22 years. This project is intended to extedn the reach and the scientific and didactic background of the competition, as well as to offer material to other school that wish to organize similar competitions for their students. The most important aspects for the students involved are: +++ Raising awareness and competence in mathematics and related MINT (mathematics, informatics, natural science and technology) subjects. Particular emphasis is placed on the participation of female students in this context, and especially giving them a positive attitude to mathematics through the competition process. +++ Obtaining a scientifically validated background for the didactic value of the competition through research by university students. +++ Developing material for use by other schools that wish to organize similar events, such that these schools need not develop such an organisation themselves. This involves teacher training, written materials and a website. +++ Improving students' cooperation and cultural awareness through working together on website development, in the competition and in presenting their school and regions to each other. Ultimately, long term benefits of this activity should include, but not be limited to, better awareness of and a more positive attitude to mathematics and MINT subjects, higher interest of all students, and particularly female students, in these pursuits, and higher profficiency of participants in this area.
The project "Mathematical Duel Plus 2015-17" builds on and further developes a mathematical contest that has been held since 1993. For most of this time, four schools from Austria, the Czech Republic and Poland have been participating . The objective of the Erasmus+ project was to research this competition, describe it and make it public, with the idea of making it possible for other institutions to organize similar competitions, better understand various background aspects of the competition, and to raise the benefit for the participants by widening the spectrum of activities. Four schools and three universities participated in the project. All have long-standing traditions in the area of mathematical competitions. Specifically, the four schools all have long-standing traditions in this area, and all have repeatedly had students qualify for their national mathematical olympiads, and even the national teams representing their countries at various international competitions, such as the International Mathematical Olympiad. Beside holding the competition in each of the three years of the project, which was the defining activity of the project, a website was developed (www.mathematicalduel.eu), in which a large amount of information relevant to the project was placed, including information of competition organisation, problem collections, descriptions of participating institutions and their home cities, etc. Three scientific papers were produced on supplementary topics, and problem collection booklets were published for each of the three years. Scientific talks were organized for the benefit of the project participants, and various talks were also held for teacher groups in order to keep them informed about the project and its progress. The activities of the project were made publicly available through the website, talks and publications. Participants were offered a deep involvement with both the mathematical and oranizational aspects of the project. The results of the project will be kept available to the public for many years through the website as well as the published materials. In this way, students, teachers and researchers in didactics will be supported through the results of the project for years to come.