Events of January 2012
- National Association of Math Circles Activities at the Joint Mathematics Meetings
- Jan 5, 2012 – Jan 7, 2012
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
- Veritas Academy Consulting and Professional Development
- Feb 16, 2012 – Apr 30, 2012
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During this semester, Riverbend educational consultant Cheryl Nix met
with teachers and presented lesson demonstrations for K-8 teachers at
Veritas Academy.
- Veritas Mathletes Program
- Apr 16, 2012 – Apr 25, 2012
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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.
