Northern New Mexico College’s (NNMC) Math in Mosaic summer camp is now free to all participants and will include free lunches and snacks. Fifth and sixth grade students can explore a side of math they have never considered. Rather than a traditional math class, students will solve puzzles and games, then uncover the hidden math that was used without them realizing it.
“Math instruction can show us some of the worst things about math, and we very rarely see the fun side,” said Heather Pierce, STEM holistic advisor for math. “In this camp, we will explore some of the fun parts of math. We will solve puzzles and play games, learn about weaving and crafting, and show how it is all connected to mathematics.”
All math abilities are welcome at the 10-day camp. Students will participate in math circles, collaborative problem solving, puzzles and mathematical games. Topics include number theory, combinatorics, graph theory, geometry, probability, algebraic reasoning, logic and proof. Participants will learn about symmetries and patterns in weaving at the Española Fiber Arts Center, showing how it is all connected to mathematics.
The camp is a joint effort between James Taylor, MathAmigos co-founder, and Heather Pierce and Ana Vasilic, Northern New Mexico College Math & Physical Science department.
Math in Mosaic runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., June 8-12 and June 15-19. Current fourth and seventh graders will be considered if space allows.
Registration ends May 31. Sign up at https://www.mathinmosaic.org/apply.
Math in Mosaic is supported by the international Summer Mathematics Programs Consortium and the Math Circles of Chicago.