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Secondary School Teachers Program Working Groups

   — Application DEADLINE January 28, 2009

Please note these descriptions are subject to change. If you have any questions regarding the SSTP Working Groups, please contact the PCMI office at pcmi@ias.edu.

Reasoning from Data and Chance Participants will explore ideas relating to data and chance. Technology, such as the statistical software FATHOM or TI-Nspire, will be used as a tool for learning. The goal is to produce lessons, describe teaching strategies, or present an issue related to statistics or probability. Content related to the study of data in beginning secondary courses as well as in AP Statistics will be explored.

Exploring Discrete Mathematics

Members of this working group will explore topics from the rich field of discrete mathematics, which is increasingly important in both various applications and K-12 education. Possible topics include counting techniques, graph theory, matrix algebra, and discrete dynamics. Participants will develop resources to help their peers incorporate this material into their classrooms.

Investigating Geometry

Participants will consider one or more rich geometry topics from multiple mathematical and pedagogical perspectives with special emphasis on "hands-on-investigations," model building, dynamic software, and other active approaches.  From this work, the group will create lessons, activities, or discussion documents that relate to the classroom and geometrical investigations.

Learning from Teaching Cases

Participants will discuss readings and video of classrooms, using video taken from a variety of sources, including classes taught by leading mathematics educators.  We will construct ways of talking about classroom practices and student learning in order to learn and benefit from observing video.

Implementing Lesson Study

Lesson study, Jugyoo Kenkyuu, is a professional development activity that is at the heart of much of the professional development for teachers in Japan. In this group, participants will select a daily goal for a "study lesson," spend an extended period of time collaboratively creating a detailed lesson plan, observe a participant teach the lesson to students, participate in a colloquium to discuss the lesson, and revise and refine the lesson to share with others.

Visualizing Functions

Participants will explore selected functions from multiple perspectives.  Functions of interest may include polynomials and trigonometric functions, but also matrix functions and geometric transformations.  One possible topic would be the use of computer algebra systems to work with functions, and how these can support or hinder learning.  For this topic teachers could study relevant research, design and evaluate lessons based on this study, or discuss implications for their own work with students.

Cross-Program Working Group: Algebraic Number Theory

This group has a different structure from the other working groups. Members of the group attend a course with members of another PCMI program from 1:00 to 2:00 and then meet as a group from 2:00 to 3:00 to discuss the points raised in the class, do problems, and eventually consider ways that the mathematics of the course might be adapted to a secondary math classroom.. The course will have interesting math for teachers, but will typically be somewhat demanding mathematically.

In Summer 2009 teachers will attend a course on Algebraic Number theory offered by the Undergraduate Faculty Program. The course is described in the UFP program description.