Dear Math Teacher,
I’m reaching out just to math teachers with three special opportunities. I would be grateful if you read this message carefully, and shared it with other math teachers.
I have three items I’d like to share with you.
One more screening of COUNTED OUT on Tuesday, April 29.
The Bard Math CAMP opportunity for your middle school math students.
21st century mathematics – 2025. A content-focused professional development this summer for K-12 math teachers.
These are three important and compelling items, and I hope you will share them with other math teachers around you.
Sincerely,
Japheth
--
Japheth Wood, PhD
Director, Bard Math Circle and Co-Director, Bard Math CAMP
Continuing Associate Professor of Mathematics, Bard College
COUNTED OUT
Math has an often-overlooked role in shaping our society, from economic policies to democratic processes. A high level of mathematical literacy is essential for each of us, just to participate in the basics of society.
However, the US has a math education crisis. According to recent PIAAC* data, “nearly one in three U.S. adults (30 percent) has,” a low numeracy level.
The film COUNTED OUT describes these issues in a compelling way, and points to several innovative approaches to solve America’s math education predicament.
(*source: https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2020/2020025/index.asp)
If you miss COUNTED OUT, must see it again, or are determined to share it with friends and colleagues, we invite you to join us for a bonus screening:
Tuesday, April 29, 5:15 pm (doors at 4:45 pm)
Screening at Upstate Films in Rhinebeck, NY
Free Event
Radical Equations
The COUNTED OUT film is dedicated to Bob Moses, founder of the Algebra Project. Moses was a civil rights leader who became a math education visionary. He developed a 5-step curricular process leading from a shared experience to symbolic representation of mathematics.
Radical Equations Civil Rights from Mississippi to the Algebra Project by Robert Moses and Charles E. Cobb, 2002.
The Bard Math CAMP, a Summer Program
Bard Math CAMP: August 4–8, 2025 at Bard College.
The Creative and Analytical Math Program (CAMP) is not a camp. It’s a summer academic enrichment program for middle school students that features mathematics in a creative intellectual environment. CAMP started in August 2014 with initial funding from the Dolciani Math Enrichment Grant Program. It has grown to become a popular summer treat for math kids in the Mid-Hudson Valley and beyond, and has been recognized several times by the American Mathematical Society with Epsilon Awards. We feature math, computer science, and art classes along with various activities, led by experienced and inspiring instructors, assisted by Bard College math majors.
The application process is now open. Please share with your students who love math!
Step 1: Complete the Interest Form
Step 2: Students work on the MAP
21st century mathematics – 2025
This is a free month-long online learning experience this summer for K-12 math teachers. It’s being organized and offered by my colleague, Justin Lanier.
Almost all of the math that we teach to our students is hundreds if not thousands of years old. Even so, new math is being figured out every day. The goal of this learning experience is to encounter some recent math discoveries, learn about and meet some of the people who made them, and get some insight into the process of mathematical research. Doing this can shape our own understanding of math and impact how we share math with our students in our classrooms. It can also be a lot of fun!
The math topics of this year’s program are the “double bubble” optimization problem and finding perfect powers in the Fibonacci sequence.
Who is Justin?
Justin Lanier is not just any mathematician. He’s a rare one who spent a decade in the classroom, teaching middle school and high school mathematics, before continuing into graduate school and earning a doctorate in mathematics. He was a regular math blogger on Math Munch for over 5 years. His experience gives Justin special insight into how students learn math, and how to connect school math with contemporary mathematical research. He has an interest in engaging classroom math teachers with the greater math community.
Other Offerings
Purple Comet: Practices on Feb 1, Mar 1, Mar 29 and competition on Apr 26 at Bard College. It’s not too late to join!
Family Math Afternoons: Saturday afternoons, Feb 15, Mar 15, Apr 19, and May 17 at the Kingston Library
The Parent’s Math Workshop will start in May.
The Family Math Afternoon
Our monthly family math afternoon is back! For middle school students and their families, the session features Engaging Math Problems, Logic Puzzles, and Thinking Games! You will enjoy a selection of engrossing and hands-on math activities. The mathematical fun will be infinite!
No prior registration is needed for the Family Math Afternoon. We meet in the Community Room.
Location: Kingston Library, 61 Crown Street, Kingston NY 12401
Schedule: Saturdays, 2-4pm
Dates: February 15, March 15, April 19, and May 17 in 2025
Parking: The library has plentiful free parking
Parent’s Math Workshop
We are having a delayed start for our pilot Parent’s Math Workshop that will run alongside the family math afternoon. For parents who would like to develop a math friendly home environment and invite their young ones into the world of mathematics. Space in the workshop is limited, so please sign up below.
The Upstate New York Math Team
Compete with a community of high school math students in the American Regions Math League.
Show Math Some Love!
Your support of the Bard Math Circle makes a real difference.
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