Events of 2012
- National Association of Math Circles Activities at the Joint Mathematics Meetings
- Jan 5, 2012 – Jan 7, 2012
-
As an active member of the National Association of Math Circles, we
participated in several sessions at the Joint Math Meetings in Boston as
well as sharing hands-on activity ideas with current and future Math
Circle leaders. Approximately 100 people participated in sessions during
three different days. We also co-organized research talks for the Summer
Program for Women in Mathematics reunion during the Joint Math Metings.
About 50 people attended these talks.
- Math and Technology Academy
- Jan 5, 2012 – May 31, 2012
-
The Math and Technology Academy is a free program open to the
public. Students of all ages can get help with homework, work on
a guided independent study project, or try one of our hands-on
math activities.
- Math Support for CTE Courses
- Jan 9, 2012 – May 10, 2012
-
On a weekly basis, we offered math support for students in South
Bend Community School Corporation's Culinary Arts, Radio/TV, and
Building Trades Programs. In addition to helping to strengthen
algebra and other math skills needed by students, we provided
weekly hands-on activities designed to show the importance of
math in daily life and to improve conceptual understanding of
various math concepts. In addition to this work with students, we
also led quarterly full-day professional development workshops
for the instructors of a wide range of Career and Technical
Education courses.
- South Bend Community School Corporation Consulting and Professional Development
- Jan 11, 2012 – Apr 12, 2012
-
Working with administrators, curriculum leaders, and teachers, we
identified ways to strengthen math instruction for students at many
schools in South Bend. We also led many hands-on math workshops for
primary and intermediate center teachers.
- Changes in Mathematics Education Talk For North Central Dental Society
- Jan 20, 2012
-
Amanda presented a lunch-time talk on changes in mathematics education
for members of the North Central Dental Society of Indiana during their
professional development day. The talk included a discussion of reasons
for changing educational philosophies encapsulated in the Common Core
State Standards, and was followed by a question and answer session from
the dentists. As members of a profession involving scientific skill, and
as concerned parents and community members, many dentists in the group
were interested in learning more about this topic.
- John Young Junior High School Math Counts Competition Coaching
- Jan 23, 2012 – Feb 4, 2012
-
During late January and early February, Riverbend instructor Art
Terlep met on a daily basis with members of the John Young Junior High
School Math Counts Team to prepare them for the competition. The team
won their regional competition and advanced to the state level.
- Fermi Math Circle
- Jan 27, 2012 – May 25, 2012
-
During this Math Circle, we used mathematical models to investigate a
range of topics including physics, nutrition and food waste,
neuroscience, and political economics. We studied the history of
yupanas, a form of abacus used by the Incas. Students explored a range
of theories about how yupanas may have worked, and tried those methods
out to see if they seemed practical. We discussed mathematical topics
from differential calculus, including the history and philosophy of
calculus, the definition of the derivative, using the binomial theorem
to find derivatives of polynomial functions, understanding the
definition of the function e to the x, and finding Taylor polynomials
for non-polynmial functions. We also dabbled in topics from
differential equations and complex analysis. We made several field
trips this semester, including one to the Notre Dame nuclear physics
lab, and one to learn about remote sensing from Notre Dame's JINA
program (Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics. We visited Ivy Tech
Community College several times to work with Biotechnology Professor
George Twaddle. During those visits students inserted plasmids
including a glowing green marker into bacteria and determined the rate
of efficiency of the transfer method.
- Science Alive -- Motion Detector Challenges
- Feb 4, 2012
-
Participants take qualitative derivatives and integrals as they move to
make a motion detector generate target position and velocity graphs.
- Science Olympiad -- Experimental Design
- Feb 11, 2012
-
High school students competing in Science Olympiad design and carry out
experiments to explore factors that would be important to your success
when yanking a table cloth from beneath a table of dishes.
- Perley Primary Center Robot Classes
- Feb 15, 2012 – Apr 26, 2012
-
Using our collection of Lego Mindstorm components, Riverbend
instructor David Stair offered two weekly beginning robotics classes
for elementary students at Perley Primary Center as part of their
after-school program.
- Veritas Academy Consulting and Professional Development
- Feb 16, 2012 – Apr 30, 2012
-
During this semester, Riverbend educational consultant Cheryl Nix met
with teachers and presented lesson demonstrations for K-8 teachers at
Veritas Academy.
- Veritas Academy Consulting and Professional Development
- Feb 16, 2012 – Mar 23, 2012
-
During this semester, Riverbend educational consultant Cheryl Nix met
with teachers and presented lesson demonstrations for K-8 teachers at
Veritas Academy.
- Collaborating for Education and Research Forum
- Feb 25, 2012
-
Amanda presented Riverbend's vision for transforming math education in
our community during this forum at Notre Dame.
- Math For Everyone Talk and Exhibit: Discovering Origami Theorems
- Mar 8, 2012
-
In March, Amanda presented a Math For Everyone Talk at the University of
Notre Dame. As part of the advertising for this event, Amanda also
created a mathematical origami exhibit in the Notre Dame Mathematics
Library which was displayed during most of the spring semester. It is
impossible to use a straight-edge and compass to trisect an arbitrary
angle. However, this feat can be accomplished by folding paper. During
this talk, we will discover and prove many origami theorems, analyze
Huzita's origami axioms, and fold a theoretically impossible hyperbolic
paraboloid using a single sheet of paper with no cuts.
- School City of Mishawaka Consulting and Professional Development
- Mar 19, 2012 – Mar 29, 2012
-
Working with administrators and teachers, Amanda Serenevy assisted with
professional development workshops supporting the implementation of a new
math program for high-ability students in Kindergarten through 6th grades
at all seven elementary schools.
- Xavier School of Excellence Professional Development
- Apr 4, 2012 – Apr 18, 2012
-
Cheryl Nix led two professional development sessions at Xavier
School of Excellence during this month. The first workshop was for
Kindergarten through 3rd grade teachers on Rekenreks as a tool for
differentiating number sense instruction. The second workshop was for 4th
through 7th grade teachers on math games that motivate students to master
math skills.
- Circle on the Road
- Apr 13, 2012 – Apr 15, 2012
-
We participated in "Circle on the Road", a national Math Circle
conference organized by the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute in
Washington D.C. The event included a Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival
at the Smithsonian Museum. Amanda Serenevy assisted with logistics for
the event and led several activity tables including mathematical origami
and rational tangles. The other two days featured presentations by Math
Circle leaders from around the country as well as opportunities to
network.
- Veritas Mathletes Program
- Apr 16, 2012 – Apr 25, 2012
-
About 25 3rd through 8th grade students at Veritas Academy met
for an hour after school twice a week with tutors from Riverbend
Community Math Center to work on their math learning goals.
- Veritas Mathletes Program
- Apr 16, 2012 – Apr 25, 2012
-
About 25 3rd through 8th grade students at Veritas Academy met
for an hour after school to prepare for standardized tests
- One Book, One Michiana: Sherlock Holmes
- Apr 17, 2012 – Apr 18, 2012
-
The St. Joseph County Public Library organized a month of activities
relating to Sherlock Holmes. As part of the festivities, we presented a
cryptology activity at two library branches.
- Holy Family School Math Consultations
- Apr 19, 2012 – May 19, 2012
-
Amanda Serenevy visited Holy Family School several times to talk about
math instruction with teachers and to bring a mathematical origami
activity for the students.
- National Council for Teachers of Mathematics Conference
- Apr 26, 2012 – Apr 28, 2012
-
Amanda Serenevy attended the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics
Conference in Philadelphia along with several local math teachers. During
the conference, she taught mathematical origami activities to about 50
conference participants.
- Astrofest
- Apr 27, 2012 – Apr 28, 2012
-
In collaboration with the Michiana Astronomical Society, Riverbend staff
members helped to plan and present stations for a two-day Astrofest at
Kennedy Primary Center and at Union Station. Local astronomy enthusiasts
Chuck Bueter and Ruth Craft worked with Riverbend instructor Peggy Jones
to design a dozen hands-on activities to help students learn about the
upcoming Transit of Venus, exoplanets, and other astronomy topics.
Riverbend staff members directed many of the activities during the
two-day event.
- Transit of Venus Scavenger Adventure
- May 1, 2012 – May 31, 2012
-
In collaboration with Chuck Bueter from the Michiana Astronomical
Society, Riverbend staff members created a community-wide scavenger
adventure about the Transit of Venus with sites around the Michiana area.
Each site featured an informational poster about some aspect of the
Transit of Venus, an interesting artifact, and a keyword that
participants collected in order to earn solar shades to use for safe
viewing during the Transit of Venus. The Scavenger of Adventure ran
during the entire month of May leading up to the June 6th Transit of
Venus.
- Columbia City Schools Consulting and Professional Development
- Jun 1, 2012 – Dec 31, 2012
-
During this calendar year, we provided math professional development for
Columbia City Schools. During this calendar year, we provided
consultations and classroom demonstration for K-12 teachers.
- Charles Martin Community Festival
- Jun 2, 2012
-
Drop by our booth to learn to fold a Sonobe polyhedron or a Magic
Pinwheel.
- Math and Technology Academy
- Jun 4, 2012 – Aug 2, 2012
-
The Math and Technology Academy is a free program open to the
public. Students of all ages can get help with homework, work on
a guided independent study project, or try one of our hands-on
math activities.
- Math For Everyone Talk and Exhibit: Discovering Origami Theorems
- Jun 12, 2012
-
Amanda Serenevy collaborated with South Bend teacher Karen Hunter to
present a session on using notebooks in math classrooms during the Notre
Dame conference for ACE teachers (Alliance for Catholic Education).
- Columbia City Schools Consulting and Professional Development
- Jun 15, 2012 – Nov 16, 2012
-
Riverbend math consultant Cheryl Nix provided several math professional
development sessions for Columbia City Schools.
- Math and Technology Academy
- Jul 16, 2012 – Aug 2, 2012
-
The Math and Technology Academy is a free program open to the
public. Students of all ages can get help with homework, work on
a guided independent study project, or try one of our hands-on
math activities.
- Quilt Fractions for Dickinson Fine Arts Grant
- Aug 13, 2012 – Sep 26, 2012
-
During a full-day professional development workshop, Cheryl Nix presented
a Quilt Fractions unit that builds conceptual understanding of fractions.
This unit will be used across the curriculum at Dickinson Fine Arts
Academy during the 2012-2013 academic year. In September, she visited
classes to model lessons from this workshop.
- South Bend Community School Corporation Consulting and Professional Development
- Aug 24, 2012 – Dec 17, 2012
-
Working with administrators, curriculum leaders, and teachers, we
identified ways to strengthen math instruction for students at many
schools in South Bend. We also led many hands-on math workshops for
primary and intermediate center teachers.
- Math and Technology Academy
- Aug 28, 2012 – Dec 13, 2012
-
The Math and Technology Academy is a free program for students in
3rd through 12th grades. This program is intended both for
students who want extra help with math and for students who are
looking for math enrichment opportunities. While students can
get help with homework, the main purpose of the program is to
work towards mastery of math learning goals, set during
interviews with the instructor. Students also participate in
enrichment mini-courses on various science, technology, and math
topics. Students are expected to attend on a regular basis.
- Veritas Academy Consulting and Professional Development
- Sep 1, 2012 – Dec 31, 2012
-
During this semester, we provided math professional development for
Veritas Academy teachers. During the semester, we provided weekly
consultations and classroom demonstrations for K-8 teachers.
- Math Support for CTE Courses
- Sep 10, 2012 – Dec 13, 2012
-
On a weekly basis, we offered math support for students in South Bend
Community School Corporation's Culinary Arts, Radio/TV, and Building
Trades Programs. In addition to helping to strengthen algebra and
other math skills needed by students, we provided weekly hands-on
activities designed to show the importance of math in daily life and
to improve conceptual understanding of various math concepts. In
addition to this work with students, we also led professional
development workshops for the instructors of a wide range of Career
and Technical Education courses.
- School City of Mishawaka Consulting and Professional Development
- Sep 18, 2012 – Sep 20, 2012
-
Working with administrators and teachers, we supported the
implementation of a new math program for high-ability students in
Kindergarten through 6th grades at all seven elementary schools.
- Math Studio
- Oct 1, 2012 – Dec 19, 2012
-
The Math Studio is a free drop-in program for people of all ages that
provides participants with math tutoring and a relaxed environment for
working on math homework. Math Studio is open Mondays and Wednesdays
from 2:30-5:30. Interested students should drop in any time the Studio
is open, and we will help you with your homework or find a math
activity for you to do.
