Project Laboratory in Mathematics
MIT OpenCourseWare presents this undergraduate course built around research experience rather than lectures. Students work in teams on open-ended, puzzling mathematical situations, searching for patterns and building explanations rather than solving predefined problems. Results get written up as professional-style research papers and delivered as presentations, mirroring how mathematicians actually communicate findings. The site includes extensive commentary from the instructors explaining the course's design and rationale, making it useful both for students wanting a taste of research mathematics and for educators considering running a similar course. Materials include project descriptions, sample student work, and guidance on structuring team-based inquiry. There are no video lectures; the course is built entirely around self-directed investigation and written communication of results, free to access through MIT OCW under a Creative Commons license.