2024 Northwest Mathematics Conference

This presentation follows my last year’s with new puzzles. You will be given a number of the best simple, yet challenging, Mathematical puzzles, conundrums and paradoxes that I could find to solve using your creative, lateral, logical, inductive & analytical thinking, however the surprising answers will seem very counter-intuitive! You will be able to share these entertaining and educational puzzles with your students to naturally enhance their curiosity and interest with Mathematical topics. These activities are not really about numbers, since Mathematics truly isn't about numbers, its about thinking logically!  

Trigonometry instruction typically begins by defining sine, cosine, and tangent as ratios. In this session, we share an alternative approach in which sine and cosine are introduced as coordinates on the unit circle, with tangent as an associated slope. This method enhances understanding, rapidly leading students to an intuitive grasp of trigonometric concepts. 
We will share how students use this strategy to easily estimate the sine, cosine, or tangent of any angle and from there go on to derive various properties. We hope this leaves you with a new perspective on developing trigonometry with your students. 

Have you heard of an innovative, effective, and efficient teaching method called "Thinking Classrooms"? If you have heard of it, but you have never tried it or do not know how to start it, this is the session for you. Based on Thinking Classrooms developed by Dr. Peter Liljedahl at SFU, I will share some tips on how to construct this interactive and collaborative space for students to engage in step by step manner.

This session will chronicle our journey in developing and implementing a student portfolio focussed on the curricular competencies of perseverance and persistence in problem solving. Attendees will have an opportunity to experience the student process of developing a portfolio. We will also discuss how this portfolio was assessed, and provide a structure/template attendees can use and build on in their own classrooms.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLM) have burst into the public eye over the past year. But how does this "intelligence" work, and is it going to lead to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) that will lead us to a brighter future? And what does it all have to do with plain old linear equations? (spoiler: everything) We will do some hands-on thinking about how LLMs and other neural networks actually work and how they relate to middle school and secondary mathematics topics, and then close off with some thoughts and discussion on how to understand the larger claims of AI with a critical lens.

Ready, Set, Go! This Amazing Race will encourage you to get up, run around, and make decisions while exploring Cartesian Coordinates and Linear Equations. During this activity, you will be given a series of increasingly difficult clues and you can earn time bonuses by submitting silly pictures. Your choices will impact your success during the race; choosing to make a detour to earn bonus time may pay off, but it might also set you behind!