MathEd Forum

March 13, 2025

THE FIELDS INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

FIELDS MATHED FORUM MEETING AGENDA
Theme: Mathematics and Equity

November 28, 2015 at 10 am-2 pm
Fields Institute, 222 College Street, Toronto


Light refreshments will be available starting at 9:30 a.m. and lunch will be served at a convenient time during the meeting.

=========================================================
INFORMATION FOR SPEAKERS AT THE FIELDS INSTITUTE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fields staff will assist you with all audiovisual equipment before your talk. Our standard audio-visual equipment provided for a talk with slides is a screen with data projector and Fields laptop computer if needed. In addition our lecture room is equipped with chalk boards for your use. The standard options for slides are:
1. The preferred and most reliable option is a PDF file presented on a Fields computer. Please bring your slides on a USB key or send them in advance to : inquiries@fields.utoronto.ca
2. A PowerPoint presentation (any format) from your own laptop. Please bring your laptop at least 15 minutes in advance of the talk so we can assist you with the set up.

Please contact inquiries@fields.utoronto.ca if you have any questions about the AV set up.
=========================================================

AGENDA

Theme: Thinking in "code": Exploring relationships between mathematics and computer programming

________________________________________
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM Reports: OAME, OMCA, OCMA, CMESG, CMS, and other.
________________________________________
10:15 AM - 10:50 AM Carly Rozins
Title: Becoming a computational thinker

Abstract: I will start this talk by discussing what computational thinking is and how an undergraduate student becomes a computational thinker. I will work though a math problem (accessible to high school students) and discuss how 1) the presentation of the problem and 2) the setting in which the problem is presented, can influence how the student approaches the problem. I will then use the example to suggest problem designs which stimulate computational thinking.

Bio: Carly is a PhD candidate in applied mathematics at Queen's University. Her supervisors are Peter Taylor and Troy Day and her research is in mathematical biology, but she also has a keen interest in math education. She teaches large first year math classes and she co-runs an all girls math camp at Queen's.
________________________________________
10:50 AM - 11:25 AM George Gadanidis
Title: Computational thinking in the elementary classroom.

Abstract: Computational thinking in the elementary math classroom. Examples and discussion, from geometric patterns to the binomial theorem. See more at www.researchideas.ca/coding.html
Bio: George Gadanidis is professor of education at Western University. He loves working in elementary school classrooms on mathematics, technology and the arts.
________________________________________

11:25 AM - 12:00 AM Chantal Buteau, Ramona Rat, and Eric Muller
Title: Thinking in "code" and coding for thinking: a university implementation

Abstract: In this presentation, we describe the programming-based mathematics work of the undergraduate student Ramona and present an analysis of her learning experience. By selecting some of Ramona's 14 projects we provide an example of the kind of work and experience that every mathematics and statistics major and future mathematics teacher may experience at Brock University. Implemented since 2001, the sequence of three MICA (Mathematics Integrated with Computers and Applications) courses aim at students developing proficiency in programming for mathematical investigation, simulation, modelling, and visualization.

Bios: Chantal Buteau is Associate Professor of mathematics at Brock University. She has been teaching the first-year programming-based mathematics MICA I course for over a decade, and has published (with Eric Muller) numerous reflective works on the MICA I-II-III courses. Her math education research mainly focuses on technology use (CAS, programming, epistemic math computer game) and post-secondary education.

Ramona Rat is a student at Brock University. She is completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics Integrated with Computers and Applications along with a concentration in statistics, a minor in chemistry, and the co-op option. She is looking forward to starting her Master of Science degree in Statistics this January (also at Brock).

Eric Muller is Professor Emeritus at Brock University and a Fellow of the Fields Institute. He was Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics when the MICA program was developed.

________________________________________
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM LUNCH BREAK (Light refreshments provided)
________________________________________
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Sheila Rhodes
Title: Programming with LEGO robotics
Abstract: A demonstration of computational thinking using LEGO's robotics.
Bio: Sheila Rhodes is an instructor at the faculty of education at UOIT. She also runs summer camp programs for LEGO robotics and STEAM activities for children ages 7 to 15. Sheila is on the executive for STAO and is currently the co-chair of this year's STAO2015 conference.
________________________________________
2:00 PM ADJOURNMENT

See Meeting archive

Back to MathEd Forum Page