Minicourse and Special Sessions
Minicourse: Transforming Textbook Problems Into Engaging Student Activities
Abstract: Active learning and student engagement in the classroom have been proven repeatedly to be the most effective approach to foster learning. This minicourse will transform standard textbook problems to active learning exercises based on the four pillars of active learning, identified by S. Laursen and colleagues: deep student engagement with rich mathematics, collaboration in making sense of mathematical ideas, instructor inquiry into student thinking, and equity in design and facilitation choices. Participants will walk away with tools, ideas, and strategies that can be used to create their own engaging problems for any course.
This minicourse will run from 3:00-5:30pm on Friday, April 25. Registration fee is $25, which can be paid alongside conference registration on this page. Interested participants should contact Katharine Shultis (shultis@gonzaga.edu) with questions.
Special Session: Removing Hurdles for Students in Mathematics Courses
Abstract: This session investigates different approaches used to help all students succeed in mathematics class, specifically focusing on approaches that remove hurdles. For example, speakers may discuss how they use Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to increase access for neurodivergent students or how their institution uses corequisites to build up students' skills and reduce the number of prerequisite courses students have to take. Other examples may include flipped classrooms, culturally responsive pedagogy, and others.
Co-organizers: Ekaterina Yurasovskaya (yurasove@seattleu.edu) and Ksenija Simic-Mueller (simicmka@plu.edu).
Special Session: Building A Collaborative Community in the PNW Section
Abstract: The Pacific Northwest Section of the MAA has been at the center of many exciting collaborations. Regular and highly attended meetings, coupled with the friendly atmosphere therein, make it an ideal place to establish future collaborations. The purpose of this session is to encourage the development of collaborations, including those who have successfully collaborated and are willing to share advice, those who have ideas for collaborative projects and are looking for collaborators, or those who are interested in joining existing projects or learning more about local collaborations. Presentations in the general area of collaboration will be considered, but we strongly encourage two types of talks: (1) specific talks about previous or current collaborations, and in particular, advice on how to be successful (and just as importantly, what doesn't work!); and (2) talks about specific projects people are working on or thinking about working on and are interested in collaborating on (including, but not limited to: research, teaching, writing (books), technology, service).
Co-organizers: Aaron Wooton (wootton@up.edu) and Charles Camacho (camachoc@uw.edu).
Special Session in Applied Mathematics
Abstract: We invite talks from faculty and students who are applying mathematics. The topics may include, but are not limited to, mathematical applications using differential equations, numerical analysis, statistics, and/or from the areas of biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, etc.
Organizer: Kelsey Marcinko (kmarcinko@whitworth.edu).