CAMMP – An applied mathematics programme for school classes

Briefly about CAMMP (Computational And Mathematical Modeling Program)

As part of the CAMMP workshop, students take on the role of researchers and learn the basics of mathematical modelling using practical examples. Modern mathematical applications are prepared didactically in such a way that the learners engage intensively with the practical examples and recognise the relevance of (school) mathematics for their everyday lives. In small teams, they work on relevant, real-life problems using mathematical methods and computer simulations. They are supported by teachers or students from the University of Salzburg.

The topics that the students deal with come from different areas – from medical image analysis, modern AI applications and social networks to climate research and renewable energies.

CAMMP offers students the opportunity to solve practical problems that go far beyond theoretical knowledge. By working intensively on a specific topic, they gain an insight into the professional activities of mathematicians, computer scientists and engineers.

Students reached so far

CAMMP has been established at the University of Salzburg since the beginning of 2024. In the first semester, five workshops have already been held with different groups of learners, covering various subject areas. The workshops on image classification, activity recognition and recommendation systems such as Netflix were particularly popular. In 2024, we have already welcomed 96 students (53 of them females) who visited us for a CAMMP day at the university. The response has been amazing and many have expressed their interest (teaching staff and students alike) in coming back to PLUS and taking part in CAMMP.

Voluntary commitment

CAMMP is a free programme that is used by schools in and around Salzburg. Special thanks go to the organiser, Assistant Professor Dr Sarah Schönbrodt, who brought the idea from her previous position at RWTH Aachen University and established it at the Department of Mathematics at PLUS. This has resulted in a transnational project, which, however, also requires a great deal of time, as it basically fills an entire school day. Due to the high demand, some student assistants from the Department of Mathematics have already been trained to hold workshops themselves. The CAMMP Day provides the mathematicians of tomorrow with a wealth of experience for their professional lives and the pupils get an impression of studying at PLUS. However, the programme is not only intended to inspire students to study, but also to make the profession of mathematician more tangible.