2024 Northwest Mathematics Conference

High school math prepares us for our careers and everyday life but bears little resemblance to the world of math known to mathematicians – a world of imagination without regard for practical application. To share a taste of this math, I introduced “Math Appreciation” sessions into my classroom where we explore elegant mathematical ideas on topics such as knot theory, symmetry and optical illusions. Attendees of this session will experience a Math Appreciation activity and then hear about what I’ve learned, connections to the curricular competencies, thoughts on fostering a positive relationship with math, and free resources to get started.