Range Center views conferences and study days as an integral part of its research and educational activity. These events serve as a platform for sharing knowledge, presenting innovative research, and connecting researchers, educators, and field experts. Their goal is to advance the study of giftedness and excellence in Israel and worldwide, and to generate productive dialogue between all relevant stakeholders—researchers, teachers, administrators, and policymakers.
Below, you can find an archive of the conferences organized by us over the years. The list includes the names of the conferences, brief descriptions of the core topics they addressed, as well as links to dedicated websites and photos from the events, where available. We invite you to explore the scope and depth of the scientific and educational activity taking place at the center.
Year 2023
Curiosity Workshop
International research workshop of the Israel Science Foundation (ISF) on teaching mathematics through and by means of curiosity.
The conference focused on the topic: “Mathematical curiosity as a means for developing mathematical competence in a wide range of students.”
It included discussions on the importance of mathematical curiosity in teaching, as well as the presentation of an agenda for international research in this field. The discussions touched upon theoretical and practical questions, as well as the roles of emotion and cognition in school mathematics studies.
Participants:
The conference was attended by 24 researchers from 9 different countries: USA, Germany, Taiwan, Greece, Israel, Singapore, Chile, Canada, and Cyprus.
The conference was led by Prof. Roza Leikin, Dean of the Faculty of Education and Head of Range Center. The conference was funded by the Israel Science Foundation (ISF).
Date: July 23–25, 2023
Location: University of Haifa
Website Link: Curiosity Workshop
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46th PME Conference
The 46th Conference of PME – The International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education.
The conference addressed the theme “Mathematics Education for Global Sustainability.” It included four plenary lectures by leading researchers, four research forums, seven working groups, a seminar, and a scientific discussion forum (Colloquium). Additionally, 310 research reports and 60 posters were presented at the conference.
Participants:
The conference was attended by approximately 450 researchers from 39 different countries around the world.
The conference chairs were Dr. Michal Ayalon and Prof. Roza Leikin from the Department of Mathematics Education at the University of Haifa.
Plenary speakers included: Abraham Arcavi (Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel), Alf Coles (University of Bristol, UK), Patricio Felmer (University of Chile, Chile), and Paola Valero (Stockholm University, Sweden)..
Date: July 16–21, 2023
Location: University of Haifa
Website Link: 46th PME Conference
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Problem Solving Conference
Problem Solving Conference in honor of Prof. Avi Berman.
The conference was held in honor of Professor Avi Berman’s 80th birthday and dealt with problem-solving related to the number 80. The problems covered various fields such as graph theory, number theory, life sciences, and matrices.
Participants:
Speakers at the conference were from various academic institutions in Israel: Pessia Tsamir and Dina Tirosh (Tel Aviv University), Boris Koichu (Weizmann Institute), Ron Aharoni (Technion), Einat Heyd-Metzuyanim and Danny Neftin (Technion), Roy Kishony and Shay Moran (Technion), Roza Leikin (University of Haifa), Naomi Shaked-Monderer (Yezreel Valley College), and Daniel Hershkowitz (Civil Service Commissioner).
Date: January 26, 2023
Location: University of Haifa
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Year 2022
European-American Summit on Talent Development
European-American Summit on Talent Development
The conference included lectures and discussions on topics related to talent development.
Participants:
Speakers included professors from various academic institutions in the USA, Europe, and Israel.
The list includes, among others: Prof. Susan Assouline (University of Iowa), Prof. Seokhee Cho (St. John’s University), Prof. Dante D. Dixson (Michigan State University), Prof. Roza Leikin (University of Haifa), Prof. Todd Lubart (Université Paris Cité), Prof. Albert Ziegler (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg), and Prof. Moshe Zeidner (University of Haifa).
Date: July 4–7, 2022
Location: University of Haifa
Website Link: Talent Development Conference
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Year 2020
The PISA Conceptual Framework as an Approach to Mathematics Teaching and Learning
International Conference: The PISA Conceptual Framework as an Approach to Mathematics Teaching and Learning
The goal of the conference was to discuss the implications of the PISA conceptual framework in mathematics on teaching mathematics in middle schools, and to learn from the experience of other countries that have implemented similar changes in their education systems. The discussions addressed concepts such as ‘mathematical literacy’ and ‘mathematical thinking,’ as well as the transition from theoretical learning to applied and relevant learning.
Participants:
The conference was attended by researchers, curriculum developers, and leading teachers from Israel and abroad.
International speakers included: Zbigniew Marciniak (mathematician from the University of Warsaw, Poland, and former Minister of National Education and Science of Poland); Hui-Yu Hsu (mathematics education researcher from National Tsing Hua University, Taiwan); and Merrilyn Goos (mathematics education researcher from the University of Limerick, Ireland).
Date: September 6, 2020
Location: University of Haifa
Website Link: Home Page , Round Tables
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Year 2019
Challenging Mathematical Tasks for Heterogeneous Classrooms
International Conference: Challenging Mathematical Tasks for Heterogeneous Classrooms
The conference dealt with the use of challenging mathematical tasks that allow for multiple solutions, and its goal was to investigate ways of using them in heterogeneous classrooms.
Participants:
Keynote speakers: Prof. Jinfa Cai (University of Delaware, USA), Prof. Alexander Karp (Teachers College, Columbia University, USA), and Prof. Rina Zazkis (Simon Fraser University, Canada).
The panel also included Prof. Abraham Arcavi (Weizmann Institute), Prof. Michal Yerushalmy (University of Haifa), and others.
Date: September 24, 2019
Location: University of Haifa
Website Link: Challenging Mathematical Tasks for Heterogeneous Classrooms Conference
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Year 2012
Exploring and Advancing Mathematical Abilities in Secondary School High Achievers
International Research Workshop: Exploring and Advancing Mathematical Abilities in Secondary School High Achievers
The international workshop was dedicated to examining challenges and opportunities in mathematics education for students with high potential and exceptional talent in secondary schools. During the meetings, global models for fostering abstract thinking, strategies for solving complex problems, and ways to enrich the curriculum were presented, alongside research collaboration and discussion of international standards of excellence.
Participants:
The workshop, organized under the leadership of Prof. Roza Leikin, Dr. Boris Koichu, and Prof. Abraham Berman, hosted a select community of leading researchers from around the world specializing in giftedness and mathematics education. Alongside experts from Israel and renowned academics in the fields of education and mathematics, the organizers created a unique platform that brought together researchers from complementary disciplines. The presence of participants, who came from leading academic institutions in various countries, allowed for the exchange of cross-cultural perspectives on the cognitive and emotional characteristics of high-achieving students, and promoted an in-depth professional discourse on the ways to identify and foster high mathematical abilities in diverse educational systems.
Date: March 12–15, 2012
Location: University of Haifa
Workshop Book:
Leikin, R., B. Koichu & A. Berman (Eds.) (2012). Proceedings of the International Research Workshop of the Israel Science Foundation: Exploring and advancing mathematical abilities in secondary school high achievers. University of Haifa. Available in electronic version, Grant #12.
Year 2011
Geometry Teaching in Israel: A Discussion by Mathematicians and Mathematics Teacher Educators
Geometry Day: Discussion Meeting of Mathematicians and Mathematics Teacher Educators on Geometry Teaching in Israel
The discussion day was dedicated to formulating a position paper presenting research findings, opinions, and recommendations regarding content, pedagogy, and the professional development of geometry teachers. The work was conducted in five different discussion groups, which addressed the following topics: deductive and inductive reasoning in geometry; integrating technology into geometry teaching; teacher training for geometry in primary and secondary schools; and teaching geometry to students with varying abilities.
Participants:
The day was coordinated by: Michal Yerushalmy, Roza Leikin, and Varda Talmon.
Group discussion leaders: Marita Barabash, David Blanc, Rina Hershkowitz, Nurit Hadas, Atara Shriki, Dorit Patkin, Ruhama Even, Zemira Mevarech, Boris Koichu, and Roni Karsenty.
Date: October 26, 2011
Location: University of Haifa
Year 2008
Cross-Cultural Aspects of Creativity: Challenges and Barriers
International Workshop and Research Project on Cross-Cultural Aspects of Creativity: Challenges and Barriers
The workshop and research project focused on analyzing the factors that encourage or hinder creativity in different cultural and social contexts. The workshop, held at the University of Haifa, served as a meeting point to summarize findings collected during an ongoing Joint Research Project between researchers from the University of Haifa and researchers from Germany. The activity was funded by the GIF (German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development), and was dedicated to identifying barriers that prevent the realization of creative potential and to examining the ways in which worldviews and educational traditions shape the ability to think outside the box.
Participants:
The workshop was attended by researchers and academics from diverse disciplines, including cognitive psychology and education, from leading research institutions in Germany and Israel.
Participants shared the findings of the joint research conducted under the auspices of the GIF foundation, which allowed for a multi-layered discourse on the influence of the cultural environment on individual and group creativity and on a cross-cultural comparison of creativity metrics.
Date: July 1–2, 2008
Location: University of Haifa
5th International Conference on Creativity in Mathematics and the Education of Gifted Students
5th International Conference on Creativity in Mathematics and the Education of Gifted Students
The 5th International Conference on Creativity in Mathematics and the Education of Gifted Students (MCG) focused on the intersections between creative thinking, problem solving, and fostering excellence. The conference was held in collaboration between the University of Haifa and Oranim Academic College of Education, serving as a central stage for presenting groundbreaking research in the field of integrating creativity with high mathematical abilities.
During the meetings, teaching approaches that emphasize original thinking were presented, while examining the pedagogical tools that enable gifted students to realize their creative potential.
Participants:
The conference was attended by leading researchers and academics from all over the world specializing in mathematics education, the psychology of creativity, and the study of giftedness. Alongside them, expert teachers and leaders of programs for high-achievers took part, which created a rich discourse combining research theories with applied practices. The international diversity of the participants allowed for a comparison between different models for fostering creativity and provided a broad view of the ways in which different cultures perceive and promote exceptional mathematical talent.
Date: February 24–28, 2008
Location: University of Haifa
Using Connectivity Tasks to Develop Mathematical Understanding
International Research Workshop of the Israel Science Foundation (ISF) on the Use of Connection Tasks for Developing Mathematical Understanding
The workshop dealt with examining the role of connectivity tasks as a tool for promoting meaningful learning of mathematics. During the workshop, theoretical approaches and empirical studies were presented that examined how creating links between different representations, concepts, and content areas helps students develop deep conceptual understanding.
The discussions focused on the pedagogical design of tasks that encourage higher-order thinking and the identification of mathematical structures, while sharing knowledge and practices from mathematics teaching around the world.
Participants:
The workshop hosted a select group of leading researchers in the field of mathematics education from Israel and abroad, alongside academics specializing in cognitive psychology and learning environment design.
Participants shared expertise in analyzing thinking processes and mathematics teaching, with the goal of creating an interdisciplinary discourse that combines theoretical research with practical applications in the field.
The presence of researchers from different countries allowed for the exchange of knowledge on diverse teaching methods and the examination of the influence of connectivity tasks on different student populations around the world.
Date: February 2008
Location: University of Haifa