The 55th National Study Convention of AMI

August 3~5 at Chikuma City, Nagano

　We participated the 55th National Study Convention of the Association of Mathematical Instruction. The name of the association was proposed by the late Dr.Hiraku Toyama and was named in 1974, when he was the chairman of the association. The abbreviation "AMI" means "friends" and "lovers" in French.
There were altogether 800 Math teachers and participants
gathered from all over Japan to study and share the new teaching
methods and educational materials.

Dr.Akihiro Nozaki, the eminent Mathematician and the chairman of the Association
wrote on the opening page of the program as follows

The theme of this convention is “Introducing Mathematics That Opens the Future”.

As we programmed this convention, we aimed to help teachers give such classes for the
students as inviting curiosity, enhancing their spontaneous ideas, and exciting lessons.

The Chairman of Image Mission Inc., Ken Maehata participates
the convention every year, and every time he participates, he is
always stimulated by the enthusiasm of the Math teachers.
This year, he especially joined the sessions for Math Education for
the Disabled, and he was very moved by many young teachers
very devoted in this field as well. There was a special lecture by
Ms.Tomoko Fuse on Spiral Origami. Many participants joined the
lecture to challenge making spiral by Origami.

At our booth,　i-Gami, a newly arrival from Canada, and various
Dice from USA were of special interests by the participants.
They are the kind of teachers who make their own original
educational material by hand so that they can give an interesting
lessons, they are specially keen to the new teaching kits.

	i-gami i-Gami was born in Canada, inspired by Japanese Origami, and is the first and excellent 3D construction kit. We can combine 5 different types of parts to make a 3D model easily. As we watch children, they can easily construct models such as a cube and a pentagon pillar, learning the development as they construct the model.
< Example >

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Dice

Many Math teachers use dice as teaching kits. For example,
double dice. It was so popular that they were all sold out before we
started our shop this time. They use them for the practice of addition,
so that children can enjoy the practice.
We will prepare triple dice next time!

Also, our special edition of 5 Platonic Polyhedron Dice was very
popular.

We are very grateful to the Association. Every year, we are inspired and encouraged
by the enthusiasm of the Math teachers who are the member of this association.