STEAM workshop „Mathematics in the Varna Necropolis, 5th Millennium BC”
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55630/mem.2026.55.186-197Keywords:
STEAM education, mathematical modelling, data analysis, interdisciplinary tasks, teacher professional development, Varna Chalcolithic NecropolisAbstract
This paper presents a mathematics-focused STEAM workshop grounded in the cultural and historical context of the Varna Chalcolithic Necropolis (5th millennium BC). The proposed model organises learning around the examination of historical–archaeological hypotheses through mathematical reasoning. A set of interdisciplinary tasks has been developed to engage students with authentic data, including the calculation of percentages and proportions, the interpretation of charts, elementary probability and combinatorics, and geometric constructions. The instructional materials comprise worksheets, digital resources with real datasets hosted on an author-developed website, and 3D-printed replicas of selected artefacts. A unified framework for diagnosing learning outcomes is proposed, intended to be applicable across different grade levels. The workshop’s effectiveness is supported by survey feedback from teachers, who rate it highly in terms of relevance, interest, and usefulness.
References
A. K. Amanova, L. A. Butabayeva, G. A. Abayeva, A. N. Umirbekova, S. K. Abildina, A. A. Makhmetova. A systematic review of the implementation of STEAM education in schools, Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 21(1) (2025), em2568, doi:10.29333/ejmste/15894.
S. Chavdarova-Kostova, [Handbook for implementing the competency-based approach in the training of future teachers], Sofia, MON, 2022 (in Bulgarian).
I. Ivanov, M. Avramova. 2000. Varna Necropolis. The Dawn of European Civilization. Sofia, Agat´o (in Bulgarian)
R. Krauß, C. Schmid, D. Kirschenheuter, J. Abele, V. Slavchev, B. Weninger, Chronology and development of the Chalcolithic necropolis of Varna I, Documenta Praehistorica 44 (2017), 282–305, doi:10.4312/dp.44.17.
V. Leusch, M. Brauns, E. Pernicka, Precise and accurate analysis of gold alloys: Varna, the earliest gold of mankind—a case study, in: A. L. Dussubieux, M. Golitko, B. Gratuze (Eds.), Recent Advances in Laser Ablation ICP-MS for Archaeology, Berlin, Heidelberg, Springer, 2016, 95–113, doi:10.1007/978-3-662-49894-1_7.
I. Liritzis, P. Volonakis, S. Vosinakis, 3D and VR visualization of cultural heritage, Applied Sciences 11 (2021), 3635, doi:10.3390/app11083635.
L. R. Listiyani, I. Wilujeng, S. Suyanto, D. H. Pratama, EthnoSTEMbased learning tools: Connecting cultural heritage with STEM education, International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education 17(4) (2025), 593–609, doi:10.26822/iejee.2025.402.
D. Psarros, M. I. Stamatopoulos, C.-N. Anagnostopoulos, Information technology and archaeological excavations: A brief overview, Scientific Culture 8(2) (2022), 147–167, doi:10.5281/zenodo.6323149.
R. Rusev, V. Slavchev, G. Marinov, Y. Boyadzhiev, [Varna – Prehistoric Center of Metalworking], Varna, IK Dangrafik, 2010 (in Bulgarian).
A. Sofianidis, E. Petridou, E. Stylianou, et al., Bridging STEAM and cultural heritage through inclusive inquiry: The SciArt professional development program, Education Sciences 15(11) (2025), 1551, doi:10.3390/educsci15111551.
H. Smolenov, H. Michailov, The Lost Aurolithic Civilization? Codes from a Black Sea Atlantis, Sofia, Magoart, 2010.
P. C. S. Taylor, E. Taylor, Transformative STEAM education for sustainable development, in: S. Rahmawati, P. C. S. Taylor (Eds.), Empowering Science and Mathematics for Global Competitiveness. Proceedings of the Science and Mathematics International Conference (SMIC 2018), London, CRC Press, 2019, 118–124.
