Interaction between Science, Technology and Society vs Ethnomathematics

This book is the result of a didactic and, at the same time, exploratory study of the "ethno" and mathematical concepts involved in the construction of straws in Xai-Xai and the improvement of mathematical theories with this practice. The concepts covered focus on the interaction between science, technology and society in the context of ethnomathematical education. It involved the collaboration of students and selected builders from a community that is expert in building thatched roofs. The study was carried out from an interpretivist perspective, with a constructivist epistemology and a qualitative approach. The steps taken were: i) an exploration of the types of huts found in Xai-Xai and ii) the construction of two huts, one circular and the other rectangular, which culminated in an exploration of the "ethno" concepts and the maths involved. From this, it was concluded that, in addition to the mathematical concepts explored through the link between theory and practice, the act of building helped the students to get to know the "ethno" concepts involved and to gain more skills for building small huts that they would use to house their pets.