FERMAT multivariable calculus studies presented at the 2025 Delta conference

In November 2025, Tracy Craig attended Meanjin Delta, the 15^th Southern Hemisphere Conference on the Teaching and Learning of Undergraduate Mathematics and Statistics. The conference was held in Brisbane, Australia at the St Lucia campus of the University of Queensland from 23-28 November 2025. https://fyimaths.weebly.com/meanjin-delta-2025.html

Two FERMAT studies were presented, both in the area of multivariable and vector calculus. The first was an in-depth study spanning five years of data collection on students’ conceptions of bounds of double integrals. This work has been published in IJMEST https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0020739X.2025.2582624 . The study revealed some deep seated mental conceptions that lead to students making errors when constructing double integral bounds. We are preparing further studies to deepen our understanding of this phenomenon, which has consequences for all of multivariable and hence vector calculus. 

The second study presented was funded by 4TU:CEE. In this study, we explored the effect of writing a problem solving plan on effective decision making in vector calculus problems. The results were surprising, suggesting that, while writing a plan might increase confidence in decisions taken, the decisions themselves might be suboptimal. 

Both presentations met with interest. The experimental design of the second study was admired, because such design can be very hard to achieve in educational contexts, and the first study might lead to productive collaboration. The next Delta conference will be in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2027 and we are already looking forward to it. 

Dr. Tracy Craig presenting at the Delta conference 2025

sheet of title page presentation