outreach
Math Corps is a summer camp that began in 1992 at Wayne State University in Detroit. In 2019, U(M) adopted a similar program. In their own words "The Math Corps is about more than math skills: we prioritize mentorship through a kids-teaching-kids model, providing a positive learning environment and a strong sense of family." Math Corps at U(M) organize a free annual summer camp on the U(M) campus for both middle school students and high school mentors.
In Summer 2022, I was a teacher with Math Corps at U(M), teaching 9th grade students' "broccoli class," a class designed to enforce topics they would see in their regular math classes at school.
During the pandemic, Math Corps at U(M) organized virtual Super Saturdays! Students log into an assembly in the morning, followed by team time activities.
In Fall 2020, I participated as a facilitator in many Super Saturday meetings.
Polynomial Party Platter 2022
In their own words, the MMSS is "designed to introduce high school students to current developments and research in the sciences and to encourage the next generation of researchers to develop and retain a love of mathematics and science."
During Summer 2021, I taught a 3-week, 60 hour virtual course titled "Polynomial Challenges"
During Summer 2022, our course rebranded to "Polynomial Party Platter," and met in person for 60 hours over a two-week period. Our syllabus slightly changed and meeting in person brought with it some structural changes from the previous year.
Sample Worksheet: Chromatic Polynomials
Sample Reading: The State of Being Stuck by Ben Orlin
Much like many Math Circles communities, the Math Circles at U(M) focusses on engaging young students in open-ended explorations of interesting mathematics that they would not usually encounter in their regular curriculum.
In Winter 2021, I led a Math Circles meeting titled "Graphs and How to Color Them"
Teacher circles meets once a month and includes math educators and practitioners once a month to discuss interesting mathematics and exercise our problem-solving skills
While at U(M), I regularly participated at Teacher Circles meetings as a facilitator.
(upcoming in October) In Fall 2022, I will lead a Teacher Circles meeting.
Title: Strang's Strange Figures
Math club is the a forum for undergraduates at U(M) to experience interesting and beautiful mathematics. During a regular semester, they meet weekly.
In Winter 2022, I gave a talk titled "Strang's Strange Figures." Here are my slides. [PDF]
Other Outreach
I'm always excited to participate in outreach events for the larger community outside of the University too
In Winter 2023, along with Jenny Kenkel, we hosted a booth at STEAM Night the Dexter Early Elementary Complex.
The activity is called Foot Parade, which is taken from Youcubed.