Category: General

Dear MCM-Users! 

Greetings from the MathCityMap-Developer-Team! Thanks for using MathCityMap, for your continuous support and assistance in improving the system with your contact requests, feedback and experience. The latter has lead us to a rather large cumulative update of the MathCityMap app and web portal. First things first: PLEASE UPDATE YOUR MATHCITYMAP-APP! – if not already (automatically) done. We want to give you a brief overview of the new changes so that your prepared before your next MathCityMap-Session!

1. New Map Experience: Times are changing. ‘Till now we implemented a way of using maps for navigation that allowed to download a trail once and use it without internet connection henceforth (even upon app restart). But in times where students and in the best case schools, as well, can provide a stable internet connection and sufficient data volume, we adjust and draw from the benefits! Maps will now be freshly fetched everytime you start/continue a trail, which means that at least at the trail start an internet connection is required! But we promise you – the new map handling also comes with a fresh, more fluent and better looking map experience! Should you have only limited internet structure or possibilities at your school, the trail can still be used with the “old” map handling – which requires you to actively change the required setting for this specific trail in the web portal. 
2. Content Gallery: Did you know that playgrounds are often a playground for architects – which in turn leads to a colorful variety of mathematical tasks in the everyday life of your students! How colorful, you ask? Well we didn’t know either until we browsed through our new Content Gallery for the first time! It is the joined effort of teachers, MathCityMap-experts and us developers that brought together a collection of the best, most creative and diverse public MathCityMap tasks – a source of inspiration, so to speak! There is more to explore about a tree but it’s age 😀
3. QR Code Image Upload: The test phase for the qr code image upload concerning the task title image can be called successful. Thus, we expanded this feature to the trail image, task sample solution and task hints and to the task and trail editing views. We hope this speeds up your process and elevates your Student Account usage. Speaking of which…
4. Student Task Publication: Many contacted us being confused about not being able to publish trails with student task or rather not being able to complete these tasks in a way that a publication (review request) would be possible. That was clearly unintended and therefore high up on our todo list. It is now possible for teachers to edit any task in their learning group and to submit a trail with student tasks after all criteria were met. Note that you as teacher (for now) will not get any notification about any review feedback. Each student can see these notifications when entering the web portal via their student account. Yet, you as teacher are still able to look into each review message. We will continue improving this usage scenario but we hope this first adjustment resolves a lot of uncertainty.

There were of course many other small and larger improvements, which however will not impact your MathCityMap usage drastically (little styling, bugs, performance, maintenance, etc.) which is why they are not mentioned here. Yet, since many things were changed at the same time, problems might still occur from time to time. Should you encounter such, please write us detailled and with screenshots at info[at]mathcitymap.eu! Your feedback is precious and led to these improvements! Keep equipping your students with the MathCityMap math goggles and enjoy being outdoors!

With best regards,
your MathCityMap-Development-Team 😀

We are very pleased to welcome the Holbein-Gymnasium Augsburg as a new MathCityMap partner school!

Thanks to the commitment of teacher Matthias Hartmann, MathCityMap was not only successfully integrated into lessons during the past school year, but also established among the teaching staff and sustainably anchored with the school management.
A particularly significant milestone was the introduction of a fixed project day for the entire 10th grade: From now on, all tenth-grade students at Holbein-Gymnasium will complete a MathCityMap trail once a year.

Several creative trails have already been developed at Holbein-Gymnasium:

• “Schatzsuche Holbein” (Treasure Hunt Holbein – 3523479)
  This trail is aimed at 5th-grade students and leads them across the school grounds.
• “Mathe am Kuhsee” (Maths at the Kuhsee – 2428739)
  A trail for students from grade 7 onwards at a recreational area in Augsburg.
  It is particularly noteworthy that this trail is specifically used to review key content from lower secondary level (grades 5–7) – ideal preparation for the statewide grade 8 assessment test in Bavaria.

The first annual project day already took place at the end of the school year. The focus was on the trail “Mathe auf dem Campus” (Maths on campus – 0912164), originally developed by a former teacher training student at the University of Augsburg.
In addition to mathematical surveying exercises, this trail gives students the opportunity to gain their first impressions of campus life at a university.

The positive feedback from the first trial runs shows that MathCityMap is well received by the students:

“I thought MathCityMap was really cool because you don’t just do math at your desk, but also outside.”
“I thought MathCityMap was great because the tasks were totally different and in some cases more challenging than in the textbook.”
“I thought MathCityMap was awesome because you first had to go to the exact location and then solve the tasks there.”
“It’s crazy how MathCityMap shows that there’s so much math in everyday life.”

We are very happy about this addition to our network and look forward to many more ideas and trails from Augsburg!

The package with the official partner school badge and the MCM measuring instruments has already been delivered and we are looking forward to receiving more applications from all over the world.

All further information on the partner school programme and the requirements for application can be found both in the article on the first MCM partner school and on the homepage of our MaSCE³ project.

We are very pleased to welcome IES Universidad Laboral de Cáceres as a new partner school in the international MathCityMap network!

The school is located in the city of Cáceres in western Spain and features a large campus with extensive outdoor areas – ideal conditions for mathematical discovery tours in the open air. Teacher Laureano Serrano Muñoz shares his experiences with his students and presents his favorite tasks:

“I have been using MathCityMap for several school years, so at least 100 students have tried out one of these trails. I am always surprised at how difficult it is for them to transfer what they have learned in class to real life, and of course, they are pleasantly surprised when they manage to do so.
They are also very surprised at how much a small measuring error can influence the result, even if the procedure is correct.
So far, my impressions of using the app have been positive, and I believe that students achieve significant learning progress regarding the content covered in class.
The tasks ‘El reloj de sol de la Laboral’ (The sundial of the Laboral – 6726051), and ‘¿Cómo medir el techo?’ (How to measure the ceiling? – 2526046) are among my favorites, as they are clear examples that correspond directly to tasks from geometry lessons.”

The school’s trails can be found under the following codes:

• Universidad Laboral. Cuerpos en el espacio – Code: 583380
• Pitágoras y Tales en La Laboral – Code: 365267
• Números y geometría – Code: 1910598
• Trigonometría en La Laboral – Code: 3714868

We warmly welcome IES Universidad Laboral de Cáceres to our growing MathCityMap community and look forward to more inspiring tasks and trails from Spain!

The package with the official partner school badge and the MCM measuring instruments has already been delivered and we are looking forward to receiving more applications from all over the world.

All further information on the partner school programme and the requirements for application can be found both in the article on the first MCM partner school and on the homepage of our MaSCE³ project.

Dear MathCityMap Community,

We are very excited about the many applications for the International MathCityMap Meeting for students and teachers in Seville! In total, we received 14 creative application videos from our partner schools – from these, we have selected five schools from four different countries.

The selected schools have already been informed. In the coming weeks, we will be sharing the winning videos one by one on our Instagram channel – it’s worth checking them out!

Thank you so much for your great interest and the impressive submissions.

Your MathCityMap Team

We are excited to announce a new addition to the MathCityMap family: HTL Bau und Design 1 in Linz, Austria! The teacher Lisa Kuka told us about their experience:

“On 19th of June 2025, 25 students from the HTL Bau und Design 1 in Linz (3rd year, aged 17-18) participated in two exciting MathCityMap trails: Trail 2628306 and Trail 0528305. These trails took the students on a mathematical journey across the entire school campus, combining outdoor exploration with practical problem-solving (within their school).

The tasks on the trails challenged the students to calculate volumes and surface areas of seating arrangements and fire doors, estimate the height of the school building, and even analyze the growth rates of plants. The students tackled these challenges with great enthusiasm, working together to solve the problems and apply their mathematical knowledge in real-world contexts. The trails were met with a lot of excitement and joy. The students particularly appreciated the hands-on nature of the tasks, which allowed them to see the practical applications of mathematics in their everyday environment. Their eagerness and teamwork were evident as they eagerly solved each task and moved on to the next.

Overall, the MathCityMap trails were a resounding success, providing the students with a fun and educational experience that combined mathematics, teamwork, and a bit of friendly competition. The HTL Bau und Design 1 looks forward to more such activities in the future!”

We are thrilled to welcome HTL Bau und Design 1 to the growing network of schools using MathCityMap to make mathematics visible, tangible, and fun.

Congratulations and welcome aboard!

We are delighted to welcome BRG Steyr as a new partner school in the MathCityMap network! In the 2024/25 school year, the school created two exciting MathTrails and successfully completed them with their students.

In collaboration with the Talenteclub at BRG Steyr and class 4M, two creative MathTrails were developed. Both trails were implemented using digital classrooms and embedded in captivating storylines that encouraged students to participate actively and think creatively.

Trail 1: Become a Math Detective! 1.0 (Originally: Werde zum Mathe-Detektiv:in! 1.0)

Students took on the role of math detectives to uncover the mystery of a magical chair with a doubled seating surface. Along the way, they examined real objects such as blackboards, copiers, and parts of the school building through a mathematical lens. The focus was on calculating areas and volumes, all within an engaging detective story filled with magical elements.

Trail 2: Become a Math Detective! 2.0 (Originally: Werde zum Mathe-Detektiv:in! 2.0)

In this fictional rescue mission, students had to save BRG Steyr from a looming fire. They encountered magical staircases, simulated escape routes, and analyzed slopes, steps, and areas. The trail emphasized logical thinking and real-world applications of mathematics.

Teacher Sara Hinterplattner shared the positive feedback from her students:

“The students were thrilled to experience mathematics in such a hands-on and tangible way. Many of them became highly motivated to get creative themselves: They are currently working on their own trails and developing new tasks around the school building and its surroundings.”

We are truly impressed by BRG Steyr’s dedication! The school clearly demonstrates how mathematics can become a meaningful and exciting experience through creative concepts, digital tools, and committed educators.

We look forward to more exciting trails and great new ideas.

The package with the official partner school badge and the MCM measuring instruments has already been delivered and we are looking forward to receiving more applications from all over the world.

All further information on the partner school programme and the requirements for application can be found both in the article on the first MCM partner school and on the homepage of our MaSCE³ project.

We are very happy to welcome MINT-Mittelschule Wartberg an der Krems as a new MathCityMap partner school! Teacher Klara Edelbauer tells us about the implementation of two trails and the feedback from the students.

1. Rund um die Schule (translates to around the school)
   The first trail (7927982) took pupils from Year 7 on a mathematical journey of discovery around the school building. At seven stations, they solved tasks on topics such as geometry, units of measurement and combinatorics.

2. Jetzt wird’s MINTig (translates to now it’s getting STEMy)
   The second trail (4527948) was aimed at Year 6 and was carried out as part of STEM lessons. Equipped with a smartphone, measuring tape, calculator, piece of paper and pencil, the pupils worked on eight mathematical tasks.

“Both math trails were a welcome change from traditional lessons. They showed that math is everywhere in everyday life. Working outdoors and in teams in particular made learning varied and motivating. The combination with navigating in the environment was particularly appreciated by the pupils.”

We are delighted with the commitment of MINT-MS Wartberg/Krems and would like to welcome the entire team to the MathCityMap community!

We look forward to more exciting trails and great new ideas.

The package with the official partner school badge and the MCM measuring instruments has already been delivered and we are looking forward to receiving more applications from all over the world.

All further information on the partner school programme and the requirements for application can be found both in the article on the first MCM partner school and on the homepage of our MaSCE³ project.

We are proud to welcome Colegio Marista La Inmaculada as an official MathCityMap Partner School! Though new as an official partner, the school has been working with MathCityMap since 2022. The mathematics teacher Daniel Partal García and his colleagues have created multiple math trails, some of which have been downloaded over 100 times:

• Thales-30-03-2023 (Trail code: 2313973) – This trail was already subject of an earlier article due to its popularity.
• Ruta Asunción y Maristas (Trail code: 059296)
• Ruta Primaria (Trail code: 279029)

These trails are used both in daily math lessons and for city-wide challenges, bringing together students from various schools in Granada. The central location of the school allows learners to connect mathematics with urban heritage, exploring the city’s historic buildings and landmarks through meaningful, outdoor mathematical activities.

We look forward to more exciting trails and great new ideas.

The package with the official partner school badge and the MCM measuring instruments has already been delivered and we are looking forward to receiving more applications from all over the world.

All further information on the partner school programme and the requirements for application can be found both in the article on the first MCM partner school and on the homepage of our MaSCE³ project.

Dear MathCityMap Community,

The application deadline for the first international MathCityMap meeting for students and teachers in Seville is approaching fast! Until July 31, 2025, you can submit a creative video to secure one of the spots for the event taking place from May 4 to 9, 2026.

We are looking for short, creative videos that showcase a MathTrail created by your students. The top five entries will win a trip to Seville – including interactive MathTrails, hands-on workshops, and exciting opportunities to connect with international participants around the theme of outdoor mathematics.

To participate, your school must already be a MathCityMap partner school – or become one by July 31. All information about the partner school program and how to apply can be found on our project website and in the article about the first MCM partner school.

The winning teams (consisting of up to 2 teachers and 6 students each) will enjoy a fully covered program: accommodation and meals will be provided, and 90% of travel costs (up to €350 per person) will be reimbursed – not to mention plenty of math, fun, and international exchange.

Send your video to info@mathcitymap.eu – we look forward to your creative contributions!

We are thrilled to celebrate an exciting milestone: MathCityMap has officially welcomed its 50,000th registered user! Meet Marvin Ahmed, a 19-year-old student at the Technical University Braunschweig, who is studying Mathematics and Biology with the goal of becoming a teacher. In this article, Marvin shares his journey with MathCityMap, his experiences, and what excites him most about using the platform.

Marvin came across MathCityMap through a university seminar titled “Didaktik der Geometrie” (Didactics of Geometry). During the seminar, the MCM project was introduced as a tool for making mathematics more tangible and engaging for students.
“MCM was presented to us as a way to make math more accessible and tangible for students, enabling them to get in touch with math in another, more fun way!”
What made the introduction especially memorable for Marvin was the hands-on demonstration by our team member Simon Barlovits, who guided students through the platform and answered questions live.

As part of the seminar, Marvin and his group—proudly named “Sons of Pythagoras”—were tasked with creating their own math trails. They quickly learned how challenging it can be to design problems that are not only solvable and accurate but also clearly understandable for all students.
“For me, the hardest part was: How do you formulate a task so understandably that everyone can actually grasp what they are supposed to do, and you don’t make it too easy?” This hands-on process gave Marvin a new appreciation for the intricacies of task design—a skill that will serve him well in his future teaching career.
 

Marvin’s debut task on MathCityMap, titled “So viele Möglichkeiten!”, taught him valuable lessons about real-world variability and precision in task creation.
“I didn’t formulate the task well enough, so many things could have been misinterpreted…”
Despite the challenges, Marvin was proud of the outcome and grateful for what he learned.

He sees great potential in using MCM in his future lessons:
“I really like MCM and will definitely use it in my lessons later on. I think it can make the teaching of some topics in math, like the calculation of volumes, much more interesting and fun!”

We’re honored to welcome Marvin as our 50,000th user and are excited to see how he — and thousands of other teachers, students and math enthusiasts — will continue to use MathCityMap to bring mathematics to life. To Marvin: thank you for being part of our community. And to all our users — here’s to the next 50,000!