Mathematical laboratory in the Italian curriculum: the case of mathematical machines

This paper addresses the theme A (Learning from the past: driving forces and barriers shaping mathematics curriculum reforms). The focus is on the Italian curriculum reform, designed, at the beginning of the 21st century, by the Italian Mathematical Union – Italian Commission of Mathematical Instruction (UMI-CIIM). The emphasis on the Mathematical Laboratory, elaborated in the intended curriculum, which biased the institutional documents (“Indicazioni Nazionali” or National Guidelines NG) issued by the Ministry of Education in the following years until now. After presenting the general features of the Mathematical Laboratory, the case of the Laboratory of Mathematical Machines is reported. The difficulties met for the implementation of this methodology all over the country are discussed.