Math is...fun?
If you'd asked me what I thought about math at the beginning of this semester, I might have summarized my feelings like this: Not. My. Thing.
To be perfectly honest, I was DREADING this semester. After successfully avoiding university-level mathematics for not one but two previous degrees, the time of reckoning had finally arrived.
And so it did. But, get this: it wasn't awful.
In fact, Math 160 changed my entire perspective on mathematics. This was primarily because of the SNAP Math Fair.
In brief (because this is all listed on their website, which I'll post below): SNAP uses inquiry-based learning to encourage students to develop their own solution to a problem, as opposed to following a rote calculation or template. It's not an umbrella approach to mathematics; rather, it's a single (and important!) component of the math curriculum.
The actual math fair is a non-competitive, problem-solving bonanza where students construct and solve tabletop displays of math-based puzzles. For instance, my group took a simple rearrange-the-toothpicks make X shape(s) problem, and turned it into Indiana Jone's Toothpick Temple of Doom:
Themes are key. Costumes also help.
I was dubious at first, but it's SO MUCH FUN!
Most importantly, SNAP helped re-frame how I looked at math. I wasn't grasping for a calculation, but was instead trying to understand the problem itself. I wasn't pressured to 'get it right,' solve it quickly, or perform better than my peers.
This experience helped me immensely in terms of my own confidence and my approach to math in general. So much, in fact, that not only did I ace my once-dreadful course, I also had the opportunity to share my experience with other educators at the Ted Lewis SNAP Math Fair Workshop:
I highly encourage other educators to check out the ways in which they can implement the SNAP Math Fair at their own schools!
For more information on this program, check out SNAP's official website:
