June 21 - June 25, 2010
The Summer workshop supports teachers in their development of problem solving skills as well as the incorporation of problem solving into their school’s curriculum. During the earlier part of the week teachers will gain experience with a variety of problem solving techniques such as symmetry, mathematical patterns, and parity. Subsequent sessions will focus on particular topics such as geometry, sequences, counting, and number theory.
We ask that all participants remain on site, even those within commuting distance, since collegial interaction and evening activities form an important part of the workshop.
Daily Schedule
The summer workshop consists of daily sessions in Berkeley, CA. Evenings will be reserved for related, informal activities at a nearby location.
Monday through Friday, June 21 - June 25, 2010.
Accommodations
Accommodations are still being reserved. In previous years
participants were housed in the Foothill Suites, located on the U.C. Berkeley campus, in the beautiful
Northside Berkeley hills. This lovely residence hall features suites with separate, locked entrances and
shared living rooms, Internet hookup available, laundry facilities, and a Dining Center with high ceilings
and redwood finishes.
All meals will also be provided by the program.
Funding
Funding for participants of the Summer Program covers tuition fees, meals and lodging in
Berkeley.
The core of the summer workshop will consist of the morning and afternoon sessions held from Monday
through Friday. This time will be devoted to discovery, problem solving, and interactive learning. During
the earlier part of the week teachers will gain experience with a variety of problem solving techniques such
as symmetry, mathematical patterns, and parity. Subsequent sessions will focus on particular topics such
as geometry, sequences, counting, and number theory. Traditionally relegated to the high school curriculum
or beyond, these topics actually provide a natural starting point for exploring and appreciating interesting
mathematics at the middle school level. All the sessions will be led by exceptional educators and
mathematicians from the San Francisco Bay area. We are grateful to the Firedoll, Simons and Bechtel Foundations as well as MSRI
for supporting our summer instructors.
A major theme throughout the week will be finding creative answers to the question of how to incorporate
a problem-solving approach to math education into the existing curriculum. To this end leaders will supply
participants with handouts or short modules based on the material covered during their sessions. They will
also work with teachers to share ideas for enlivening any math class and to develop lesson plans. Focused
discussions will be held regularly to determine what obstacles exist to incorporating this style of teaching
into the present curriculum, what resources would be most helpful to teachers, and other related topics.
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