Maximilian Büttner

Maximilian Büttner is a Researcher at the Institute of Mathematics within the Faculty of Natural Sciences II at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg. His work focuses on mathematics didactics for secondary education, specifically developing conceptual approaches to trigonometry through design-based research methodologies.

Education:

• 2018–2022: Mathematics and Physics (Teaching Degree) at Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg
• 2016–2020: M.Sc. Mathematics (Thesis: Wong-Zakai approximations for fractional Brownian motion SDEs)
• 2013–2016: B.Sc. Mathematics (Thesis: Kolmogorov equations for fractional Ornstein-Uhlenbeck processes)

Research Interests: Büttner specializes in mathematics education research with emphasis on trigonometry learning. His work examines how visual representations and designed learning sequences foster conceptual understanding, identifies cognitive barriers in trigonometric reasoning, and develops pedagogical frameworks for secondary mathematics education using iterative design-evaluation cycles.

Publications: His recent articles consistently explore trigonometry education through the lenses of conceptual development, representation theory, and design research. Primary themes include the role of graphical representations in meaning-making, derivation of core trigonometric concepts, and analysis of learning obstacles in sine/tangent functions.

Awards:

• 2025: Travel Grant (Stiftung Theoretische Physik/Mathematik)
• 2023: Georg-Cantor-Verein Research Award
• 2021: Ebert Beratung Innovations Prize

Teaching & Service: Supervises school practical exercises for teaching candidates. Active conference participant with presentations at CERME (Europe) and GDM (Germany) conferences. Member of the Didactics of Mathematics for Secondary Levels research group.