Sarah Schönbrodt
Assistant professor @ University of Salzburg, Austria
Paris Lodron University of Salzburg
Biography
I am a tenure-track Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Salzburg. My research focuses on mathematical modeling, as well as teaching and learning in Data Science and AI. As part of the CAMMP education program, I develop innovative materials and teaching concepts to enhance education in applied mathematics. I also serve on the leadership team of KI macht Schule, a non-profit bringing AI and machine learning education to German-speaking schools.
Interests
- Mathematical Modeling
- AI and Data Science Education
- Design Science
Education
PhD in Mathematics Education, 2022
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
M.Ed. teacher training studies (Mathematics and Chemistry), 2018
RWTH Aachen University
B.Sc. teacher training studies (Mathematics and Chemistry), 2015
RWTH Aachen University
Experience
Assistant Professor (Tenure Track)
Activities include:
- Teaching in mathematics teacher education
- Research in mathematics education and AI education
- Member of the advisory board of ditact
- Head of the CAMMP Salzburg student program
- Member of the ethics committee
PostDoc and group leader
Responsibilities included:
- Workshops on mathematical modeling for high-school students
- Research in the area of mathematics and AI education
- Leading a team of 3 PhD students and 1 teacher
Research assistant and doctoral student
Exchange semester
Teacher
Internship at Colegio Humboldt
Internship at the 4. Aachener Gesamtschule
Internship at the German School Montevideo
Awards and Scholarships
- Idea contest within the framework of the Civic Innovation Platform of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Award for the idea "AI Teaching Platform" in cooperation with KI macht Schule and KIT, 2023
- Springer BestMasters, Award for an outstanding master's thesis, 2018
- Brigitte Gilles Prize of RWTH Aachen University, Prize for promoting female students in the STEM field within the CAMMP student laboratory, 2018
- Schöneborn Prize of RWTH Aachen University, Prize for the best completion in Bachelor of Education in Chemistry, 2016
- Dean’s List of RWTH Aachen University, Award for outstanding academic achievements (top 5% of each year's cohort), 2013–2018
- Westfälischer Arbeitgeberverband Scholarship, Support for gifted students in STEM subjects, 2013–2017
- Foundation of German Business Scholarship, Support for gifted students based on exceptional academic performance and extracurricular engagement, 2012–2018
- High-school awards from DMV and GDCh for outstanding achievements in Mathematics and Chemistry, 2012
Recent Publications
Quickly discover relevant content by filtering publications.
(2025).
Teaching data-driven machine learning in mathematics education.
In: Proceedings of the Fourteenth Congress of the European Society for Research in Mathematics Education (CERME14).
(2025).
Analysing Artificial Neural Networks in High School Mathematics Education.
In: Proceedings of the 1st Symposium on Integrating AI and Data Science into School Education Across Disciplines.
(2025).
Data Cleaning In Mathematics Education: Teaching Statistical Methods Of Outlier Detection.
In: Proceedings of the 1st Symposium on Integrating AI and Data Science into School Education Across Disciplines.
(2025).
Education with and About AI: Implementation of a Participatory Teaching Platform.
In: Proceedings of the 1st Symposium on Integrating AI and Data Science into School Education Across Disciplines.
(2025).
Shaping the Future of Education: AI and Data Science Literacy as a Civic Imperative in Education.
In: Proceedings of the 1st Symposium on Integrating AI and Data Science into School Education Across Disciplines.
Recent & Upcoming Talks
Teaching
Courses and supervised students
University Teaching
Summer Semester 2025
- Lecture Introduction to didactics for mathematics I, Salzburg University
- SeminarSubject-Specific Didactics Project -- Current Topics in Mathematics Education, Salzburg University
Winter Semester 2024/25
- Lecture Introduction to didactics for mathematics II, Salzburg University
- Didactics seminar, Salzburg University
Summer Semester 2024
- Lecture Introduction to didactics for mathematics I, Salzburg University
- Lecture Introduction to didactics for mathematics II, Salzburg University
- Master's thesis (M.Ed.) Seminar for Mathematics, Salzburg University
Winter Semester 2023/24
- Master's thesis (M.Ed.) Seminar for Mathematics, Salzburg University
- Didactics seminar, Salzburg University
Summer Semester 2023
- Seminar Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence and its Application in all School Subjects, KIT
- Seminar Data Analysis and Big Data, Hochschule Biberach
Winter Semester 2022/23
- Seminar Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence and its Application in all School Subjects, University of Konstanz
- Seminar Digital-Based Learning Contexts in Mathematics Education, KIT
2014–2021
- Winter Semester 21/22: Block seminar Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence and its Application in All School Subjects, University of Konstanz
- Winter Semester 19/20, Summer Semester 20, Winter Semester 20/21: Seminar Individual Subject-Specific Didactics Project, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- Summer Semesters 2018 and 2019: Excursion Week on Mathematical Modeling (CAMMP week Pro), seminar for students in the B.Sc./M.Sc. Mathematics, Simulation Science, and CES programs, RWTH Aachen University
- Winter Semester 2014/15: Tutor for Higher Mathematics I, RWTH Aachen University
Supervised Theses
- S. U. (ongoing). Promoting Critical Statistical Literacy: Fairness in Data-Driven Decision-Making Systems
- A. F. (ongoing). Intelligent Tutoring Systems for Fostering Mathematical Modeling Competence, Master’s Thesis, University of Salzburg
- T. L. (2025). Promoting Epistemic Agency – Computational Essays in Computer-Supported Mathematical Modeling Weeks, Master’s Thesis, University of Salzburg
- M. P. (2025). AI Education in Mathematics Teaching – Development and Testing of a Teaching Unit on k-Nearest Neighbors Classification, Master’s Thesis, University of Salzburg
- A. E. (2025). The "Scary Subject" Math – Is Math Anxiety a Real Problem in Upper Austria’s Schools?, Master’s Thesis, University of Salzburg
- L. Q. (2025). Classification Problems and Machine Learning in Lower Secondary Education, Master’s Thesis, University of Salzburg
- Diehle, S. (2023). Optimization of Wind Turbines as a Topic for Interdisciplinary Computer-Aided Modeling Projects, Bachelor's Thesis, KIT.
- Maier, R. (2023). Recommender Systems and Artificial Intelligence – Development and Evaluation of an Interdisciplinary Learning Module on the Topic of AI in the Media Industry, Master's Thesis.
- Hoeffer, K. (2022). Activity Recognition on Smartphones – Development of Teaching Material for Computer-Aided Mathematical Modeling Projects, Master's Thesis, KIT.
- Rantzau, L. (2021). Recommendation Systems Based on Neighborhood Methods – Mathematical-Subject Discussion and Development of Digital Learning Material for the Netflix Challenge for Secondary Level II Students, Bachelor's Thesis, KIT.
- Hoeffer, K. (2020). Development of Teaching Material on Solar Energy within an Interdisciplinary Mathematical Modeling Project, Bachelor's Thesis, KIT.
- Schmidt, L. (2019). Machine Learning - Automatic Image Recognition with Mathematics?! A Teaching-Learning Module in the Context of a Mathematical Modeling Day for Upper Secondary Students, Master's Thesis, RWTH Aachen.
Outreach
Teacher Trainings and School Projects
Teacher Training and Professional Development
2024
- AI Education in Mathematics Education, Workshop on the 35th Swiss Day of Mathematics and Teaching 2024, Zürich, Sitzwerland, September 2024
- AI Education in Mathematics Education, Talk and Workshop on the Austrian Day of Mathematics Education 2024, Linz, Austria, September 2024
- Bildung with and on AI in the classroom, Two Workshops on the Day of Digital Teaching, Salzburg, Austria, June 2024
- Opening the Blackbox - - A commonly understandable insight into the fundamentals of AI for all subjects, Workshop for teachers at BHAK /BHAS 1, Salzburg, May 2024
2023
- Exploring Modern Applications of Mathematics through Computer-Aided Materials, Workshop at the Teachers Day of the ISTRON Conference, Vienna, September 2023
- Opening the Blackbox - A commonly understandable insight into the fundamentals of AI for all subjects, invited presentation as part of the teacher training series "Opportunities & Risks of the Digital Transformation" by ZSL and ZLB, Karlsruhe, June 2023
- Mathematical Modeling and Data Science, (multi-day) Training for participating teachers at CAMMP week, Belgium, June 2023
- Exploring modern applications computer-aided, Workshop at the Digital Mathematical Tools Conference, Karlsruhe, March 2023
2022
- Fundamentals of AI and Its Application in All Subjects, Justus Liebig University Giessen, invited workshop (6 hours) for (prospective) teachers, online, November 2022
- Digital learning materials for AI and Data Science in mathematics education, Workshop at the Teachers Day of the ISTRON Conference, Karlsruhe, November 2022
- Opportunities for Machine Learning in Mathematics Education, Teacher Training by invitation from the Department of Education and Sports of the City of Munich, Munich, September 2022
2018 – 2021
- Invited Workshop for prospective teachers in the seminar on "Applied Mathematics Education", TU Darmstadt, online, June 2021
- Materials for Computer-Aided Solar Energy Research with high-school students, Teacher Training as part of the STEM Congress, online, November 2020
- Workshop for Teacher Education Students in the Seminar on "Digital Tools for Mathematics Education", KIT, online, July 2020
- Invited Workshop for prospective teachers in the Seminar on "Application and Modeling", RWTH Aachen, online, June 2020
- Invited Workshop for prospective teachers in the Seminar on "Application and Modeling", RWTH Aachen, Aachen, November 2019
- Solar Energy research with high-school students in the context of a computer-aided project day, presentation at the Teachers Day of the ISTRON Conference, Berlin, September 2019
- Opportunities for Machine Learning in Mathematics Education, Presentation at the Teachers Day of the ISTRON Conference, Würzburg, October 2018
School Projects
- 09–12/2022: Design and implementation of the project course Girls Do STEM - solving real problems with math and AI, Karlsruhe
- Summer Semester 2021: Design and Implementation of the Introductory Course Mathematics for high-school students at KIT
- 10/2019: Design and implementation of mathematical modeling days at the Autonomous University of Baja California, Tijuana, Mexico
- Since 2019: Organization and supervision of various mathematical modeling weeks for high-school students (CAMMP week)
- Since 2015: Organization, design, and supervision of numerous mathematical modeling days for high-school students (CAMMP day, RWTH Aachen und KIT)
- 2017: Substitute teacher at Einhard Gymnasium Aachen
