Math Education Faculty Hold Multiple Workshops
High school students learn interactive approaches to solving math problems at the Cal Poly Math Academy in summer 2014.
Inquiry-Based Learning
Cal Poly's Learn by Doing philosophy is a research-based approach to student-centered teaching methodology. Efforts to spread Learn by Doing nationally have been ongoing for several years. In mathematics, Learn by Doing is known as inquiry-based learning (IBL). In summer 2014, Professor Stan Yoshinobu and colleagues from around the nation hosted 55 math faculty at two IBL workshops at Kenyon College and at the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) summer conference, MathFest, in Portland, Ore. Both workshops were housed under the MAA Professional Enhancement Program for faculty professional development. The workshops were funded by the National Science Foundation and the Academy of Inquiry Based Learning.
Learn more about the workshops
Learn more about IBL and the IBL community
Math Academy
In July 2014, Elsa Medina and Amélie Schinck-Mikel held the third annual Cal Poly Math Academy for 10th-12th grade students from Santa Maria High School as well as students served by the region 18 Migrant Worker Program. The students spent a week on campus solving non-traditional problems designed to increase their interest in mathematics and build their problem-solving skills and confidence. The program aims to increase underrepresented students' interest in pursuing a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. It also helps them learn about college life and paths toward college entrance.
In addition, the program involves high school teachers and Cal Poly students interested in teaching mathematics. Teachers have the opportunity to reinvigorate their love of mathematics and develop concrete strategies to implement the new California Common Core Standards for Mathematics.
Common Core Implementation
Danielle Champney, Elsa Medina and Amélie Schinck-Mikel held a workshop titled Implementing Standards for Mathematical Practice for middle school and high school teachers. The workshop focused on implementing the Common Core Standards for Mathematics.
Noyce Scholars Workshop
Todd Grundmeier and Elsa Medina offered two three-day mathematics workshops for Noyce Scholars — future mathematics teachers who receive National Science Foundation scholarships in return for a commitment to teach in a high-needs school district. The workshops provided an opportunity for these future mathematics teachers as well as Noyce Scholars already in the classroom to discuss issues in the teaching and learning of mathematics. Bringing the scholars together also gives them a chance to network so that they can support one another when they become teachers. Twenty-five scholars from Cal Poly and 19 scholars from other universities attended.
