News

Hi mathematics educators!

We are so excited to announce our next workshop and that it will be paired with a release of our digital book Connecting Mathematics and Social Justice: Lessons and Resources for Secondary Math Teachers.

The workshop will be on Intergenerational Wealth (one of the lessons in the book) from 6:30-7:40pm (EST) and the book release will immediately follow from 7:40-8:00pm (EST). You can register for either or both portions of the programming - see registration link below. Please invite friends and colleagues to help us experience meaningful mathematics and to celebrate an accomplishment!

 2/15 Registration

Workshop Title: Intergenerational Wealth: What Matters and Why?

Presenters: Joy Griffin, Regional District #11; Monica Housen, Ridgefield Public Schools

Description: Family and individual wealth is not shared equally across Connecticut and this disparity of wealth held by Connecticut families impacts the lives of future generations. Inequalities in income and wealth accumulation, combined with systemic injustices, serve to widen the wealth gap over generations. Join us for this session to experience a lesson that serves as an introduction or an extension of students’ understanding of compound interest and exponential growth. Students will use graphs to model wealth accumulation over time and explore qualitative and quantitative factors that contribute to social injustices around economic mobility.

Career and Technical Education Update

SketchUp for Schools is now free for all schools through a Web-based 3D modeling app available through Google Workspace (formerly G-Suite) and Microsoft education platforms.

SketchUp for Schools is compatible with Chromebooks and features built-in training tutorials and curricula to assist in improving students’ 3D modeling skills. SketchUp for Schools is built on the same 3D modeling platform as SketchUp Pro and can be used to design anything, from parks and skyscrapers to 3D-printable action figures. For more information, contact Harold Mackin at Harold.Mackin@ct.gov or go to SketchUp for Schools 2021 - Product | SketchUp.

The Lt. Governor's Coding Challenge "Coding for Good - Inspiring Health and Wellness For All"  is open to all Connecticut students. The challenge was officially announced on January 24th, 2022 with a press release and video. The submission portal launched on January 25th 2022. Submissions will be accepted until April 29th, 2022. Connecticut students in grades 3 through 12 are encouraged to create applications designed to inspire health and wellness for all. This year’s Lt. Governor’s Computing Challenge includes three options for submission: concept challenge, prototype challenge and development challenge. Students can work individually or as a team to submit to one challenge. A new incentive this year is the Jackson Laboratory Urban Achievement Award. Encourage your students to participate and help spread the word. More information is available at www.ltgovcc.org.

The Vermont Council of Teachers of Mathematics are thrilled to be hosting the upcoming Association of Teachers of Mathematics of New England's annual conference. The conference will be held on October 20 - 21, 2022 at the Killington Grand Hotel in Killington Vermont. This year's ATMNE conference theme is "Fall in Love with Math." The past few years have made the work of teaching and learning difficult for all involved with education. We believe that educators and students will benefit from a renewed sense of love for the art of mathematics. We also believe that embracing equitable and effective math teaching practices, such as focusing on depth, as well as encouraging students to see themselves as confident problem solvers who can make valuable mathematical contributions, will create a math classroom full of a love for learning. For more information on the conference or to submit a proposal to present, visit vermontmath.org. Proposals are due on May 15, 2022 and presenters will be chosen in June.

Proposal Form: https://forms.gle/3gT4yJ1tcABimvFt9

Hi mathematics educators! We know times are tough, but we wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year and announce the first MTC4SJ workshop of the year. We're excited for next Tuesday's session Mural Mathematics about the intersection of math and art, featuring one of the artists that has worked on social justice murals in Hartford, Bloomfield, and Windsor. See below for the registration link and the full description. Please share with colleagues and we hope to see you next week!

 1/18 Registration

Title: Mural Mathematics
Date/Time: Tuesday, January 18, 6:30-8:00pm (EST) via Zoom
Presenters: Angela Boratko, Hartford Public Schools; Sacha Kelly, CREC; Caroline Psutka, Manchester Public Schools
Description: Throughout Connecticut, murals and other art installations have increased the visibility of social justice issues. For example, in Hartford, Bloomfield, and Windsor there have been Black Lives Matter murals created by community artists and activists. Join us to experience the crucial yet easy to overlook mathematics behind these murals. This is an opportunity for you to consider: "What social justice issue would you stand up for?" Participants will experience some of the elements of this student project including Google mapping tools for measurement, exploring circle properties, and drafting a social justice mural design. We will also share all components of the project, including extensions to take action in your own community.

January is National Mentoring Month!

Mark your calendars and join us in a variety of events and opportunities occurring this January 2022:

• January 12, 2022, 9:30-10:30 am: Virtual Coffee about STEM Pathways
• January 13, 2022, 1:00-2:00 pm: 2022 STEMConnector Annual Member Kick-off
• By February 4, 2022: Nominate students, role models, companies and organizations to be recognized and honored for their efforts to attract, advance, retain, and promote women and girls in STEM

Check-out other opportunities posted on the Million Women Mentors Website.

Hi mathematics educators!

The third Tuesday of the month is only a week away, which means it's time for another MTC4SJ workshop! We are excited to showcase the work done by our Summer Stars cohort, starting off with a great lesson on food deserts in Connecticut. See below for the registration link and the full description. Share with colleagues and we hope to see you next week!

 11/16 Registration

Title: Hungry for Change: Food Deserts in CT

Date/Time: Tuesday, November 16th, 6:30-8:00pm (EST) via Zoom

Presenters: John Madura, Clinton Public Schools; Brian McDermott, Glastonbury Public Schools

Description: Based on 2010 census data, approximately 23.5 million people in the United States lived in an area designated as a food desert, the designation for a place in which there is limited access to affordable and nutritious food. In Connecticut, there are food deserts in several locations, including major cities like Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport. Join us for this session to experience a lesson that engages students in considering the operational definition of a food desert and encourages them to consider its meaning and how it can be calculated. Students will engage in the mathematical practices of modeling with mathematics and attending to precision as they explore geometric measures of “center” in an attempt to identify the best location for resources that can reduce the burden of living in a food desert.

The Samsung Citizenship team is accepting applications for the 12th annual Solve for Tomorrow STEM contest. The contest rewards 100 schools with over $2 million in technology and classroom supplies. 

The application deadline is Monday, Nov. 15th, and all teachers need to submit at this point is the problem in their community or school that they'd like their students to solve for using STEM and the steps they will take to get there. You do not need to be a STEM teacher to apply. Any educator is eligible with students in grades 6-12.

Here is the contest homepage, with the link to Apply as well as contest rules: www.samsung.com/solve.