COMAP Exploring Math Modeling in and Outside of the Classroom Webinar Series #6
The Introduction to Math Modeling Webinar Series is a series of 6 - 7 free webinars organized by COMAP held from October 2020 through May 2021. The goal of the webinar series is to promote student and teacher engagement in mathematical modeling in the classroom and through participation in math modeling contests such as HiMCM and MCM/ICM. The webinars are led by classroom teachers, professors and mathematicians. These experts hope to demonstrate how math modeling can be used to foster mathematical curiosity and engage students in real world problem solving. This engagement can serve to promote student agency and help students see themselves as learners and doers of mathematics.
Webinar #6
"What? No Answer Key?": Building Creativity & Confidence in Student Math Modelers
Wednesday, April 21st 4:00 PM EST
Modeling tasks are low-floor-high-ceiling activities that students should encounter in order to develop and exercise critical thinking across the mathematics curriculum.
What tools and techniques can be used to help students approach open-ended problems with curiosity, confidence, and creativity? What experiences are needed for students to become comfortable applying and initiating the math modeling cycle?
Panelist:
David Stein, Mathematics Teacher, Montgomery Blair High School
David Stein is a math teacher at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring Maryland. He teaches Statistics and Calculus and is particularly interested in incorporating math modeling and project-based learning in the high school math classroom.
Greta Mills, Mathematics Department Chair, Oxbridge Academy
Greta's fascination with math has evolved over her career from a love of pure math to embracing its applications. As the recipient of New Hampshire's 2010 Christa McAuliffe Sabbatical Award, Greta worked with NH teachers to design and pilot modeling projects. Her math modeling class has produced winning teams in the HiMCM Modeling Contest, and Greta has served as a judge for the Moody's Mega Math Challenge since 2012. She is also a member of the Math Modeling Faculty Mentoring Network. In 2017, Greta's Digital Logic class built and wrote code for a drone that *almost* flew!
Cynthia Chin, Mathematics Teacher, Madison East High School
Cynthia Chin is graduate of Madison East High School & The University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a mathematics teacher at Madison East High School. Cynthia has been a HiMCM team advisor continuously since the 1999-2000 school year. Her favorite modeling quotes are: "Essentially, all models are wrong, but some are useful" - George Box, Founder of UW-Madison Statistics Department "I like to define a mathematician not as 'someone who does mathematics', but as 'someone who spots an opportunity for doing mathematics when no one else would." - Ian Stewart.
