Math Teachers' Enrichment Program
At the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences at Western University, we are committed to nurturing a deep appreciation for mathematics and empowering educators to inspire the next generation of mathematicians. We are excited to introduce our outreach program tailored for high-school and primary teachers.
In tandem with our existing outreach programs aimed at students, our focus has expanded to strengthen relationships with math teachers in our community. The Math Teachers' Enrichment program is designed to enhance and broaden the mathematical knowledge and teaching skills of math educators. As we recognize the crucial role teachers play in shaping students' mathematical journeys, this program is our way of supporting and empowering them with the tools they need to excel in their classrooms.
The Structure of Sessions:
This series will run in the form of two-hour-long session meetings. Each session will comprise two primary segments, with the flexibility to explore additional ideas:
- Mathematics Talks: During this segment, a member of the School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences will deliver a math talk designed to spark interest in exploring new areas and fields within mathematics. These talks will also showcase captivating expansions on topics at present covered in classroom instruction, and share compelling mathematical history and stories.
- Math Learning and Teaching Dialogue: In this part, we will actively encourage teachers to voice their concerns regarding their students' learning experiences and teaching methods or participate in discussions on math in university classes.
Upcoming Session Information and Sign-up link.
We invite all math teachers to be part of this enriching program. Together, we can make a significant impact in promoting mathematical excellence and fostering a love for math in the next generation. Stay tuned for more information on upcoming sessions, registration details, and the exciting journey that awaits you as part of this program. Together, we will make math education extraordinary.
To ensure we provide the best experience, we kindly request that you register for the event. Your registration will help us prepare an ample supply of refreshments and snacks for the session.
Sign up for the upcoming session
Here is more information about the upcoming session.
Getting the third degree.
Time and date: Thursday, December 7th, 2023 at 5:00 pm
Location: MC 107 (A room on the Western Campus)
Speaker: Professor David Jeffrey
Abstract: The formula for solving the quadratic equation is a staple of every algebra class, but the general solution of a cubic is not. Is there a reason for this? In the 16th century, Cardano was horrified to discover that the beautiful formula (which he had stolen from Tartaglia) led him to square roots of negative numbers. It took another 100 years to sort out what was happening. I have been working with Maple on the best ways to solve cubic equations, and I shall show what is planned. The work was part of a USRA project for students Micaela Vancea and Victoria Quance.
Future Sessions
We are planning to have a session per month until June 2024. You can find the dates and speakers for the sessions below.
Date: Thursday, December 7th, 2023
Title: Getting the third degree.
Speaker: Professor David Jeffrey
Title: TBA
Speaker: TBA
Title: ChatGPT and Large Language Models: What must educators know?
Speaker: Dr. Cristian Bravo Roman
Title: TBA
Speaker: TBA
Previous Sessions
Who is afraid of infinity?
