2024 Northwest Mathematics Conference: Full Schedule

8:30am PDT

"Impossible" Puzzles to Challenge Your Thinking #2 !

Friday October 25, 2024 8:30am - 9:45am PDT

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!

Speakers

Blair Yochim

I am now retired from careers as a Professional Electrical Engineer and a middle/high school teacher. I taught special needs students Mathematics, Physics, & Electronics for about 13 years in two BC schools. I volunteered in the "Scientists and Innovators in the Schools (SIS)" program... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 8:30am - 9:45am PDT
Macdonald C, Fairmont 4599 Chateau Blvd, Whistler, BC V8E 0Z5, Canada

Middle to Secondary Middle Secondary

10:05am PDT

Trigonometry with More Confidence and Intuition: Beginning with Coordinates on the Unit Circle

Friday October 25, 2024 10:05am - 11:20am PDT

Alpine E, Westin

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.

Speakers

Ben Klaff

Michelle Kovesi

Ben Klaff and Michelle Kovesi teach secondary mathematics at Collingwood School in West Vancouver. Michelle holds a master's in math from the University of Oxford and a BEd from UBC; before becoming a teacher, she worked for the Department of National Defence. Ben earned his PhD in... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 10:05am - 11:20am PDT
Alpine E, Westin 4090 Whistler Way, Whistler, BC V8E 1J3

Middle to Secondary Middle Secondary

10:05am PDT

Exploring Thinking Classrooms

Friday October 25, 2024 10:05am - 11:20am PDT

Macdonald D, Fairmont

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.

Speakers

Takuya Umeki

Secondary Math Teacher, VSB

Takuya Umeki is a mathematics educator at the Vancouver School Board. Currently, Takuya works at Point Grey Secondary School. Pursuing a master's degree in math education at Simon Fraser University under Dr. Peter Liljedahl, Takuya's teaching focus lies in problem-solving and standards-based... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 10:05am - 11:20am PDT
Macdonald D, Fairmont 4599 Chateau Blvd, Whistler, BC V8E 0Z5, Canada

Middle to Secondary, BTC | Middle, BTC | Secondary, BTC

12:00pm PDT

Math Portfolios for Curricular Competencies

Friday October 25, 2024 12:00pm - 1:15pm PDT

Callaghan, Westin

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.

Speakers

Simon Ng

Grade 9/12 Math, Crofton House School

Michael Roberts

Simon has been teaching for 15 years, including in Dalian, and for 12 years in Vancouver. He is always looking find ways for students to take agency and ownership over their own learning. He is also passionate about integrating mental health and mindfulness in his lessons. Michael... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 12:00pm - 1:15pm PDT
Callaghan, Westin 4090 Whistler Way, Whistler, BC V8E 1J3

Middle to Secondary, Assessment Secondary | Middle, Assessment Secondary | Secondary, Assessment Secondary

12:00pm PDT

The Mathematics of Deep Learning: how algebra can help us debunk the end of humanity

Friday October 25, 2024 12:00pm - 1:15pm PDT

Saskatchewan, Fairmont

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.

Speakers

Josh Giesbrecht

Josh Giesbrecht teaches math, science and digital media arts at Abbotsford School of Integrated Arts. He has been teaching for 14 or so years, and has a prior background in computer engineering, programming, and game development. He enjoys playing and modding games with his kids... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 12:00pm - 1:15pm PDT
Saskatchewan, Fairmont 4599 Chateau Blvd, Whistler, BC V8E 0Z5, Canada

Middle to Secondary Middle Secondary

1:35pm PDT

The Amazing Race - Whistler

Friday October 25, 2024 1:35pm - 2:50pm PDT

Westin Shop Entrance (outside Grill & Vine)

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!

Speakers

Darcy House

Teacher, Mathematics Council

Darcy House is a member of the Métis Nation of Alberta from Region 6 and Treaty 8 Territory. His worldviews are heavily influenced by academics of equity and the peace education community. Darcy has been teaching secondary school mathematics for over ten years.

Minnie Liu

Minnie Liu is a mathematics teacher at Collingwood School who loves math-ing, and seeing students smiling about math always makes her day. She currently focuses on using a variety of activities to build a thinking classroom and to promote her students’ numeracy skills. When Minnie... Read More →

Friday October 25, 2024 1:35pm - 2:50pm PDT
Westin Shop Entrance (outside Grill & Vine)

Middle to Secondary Middle Secondary

8:30am PDT

Building and Flying Tetrahedron Kites - where’s the mathematics there!

Saturday October 26, 2024 8:30am - 9:45am PDT

Saskatchewan, Fairmont

While building tetrahedron kites out of drinking straws, paper ribbons, and tissue paper is fun and colorful, we will not forget to look at the mathematics that might be hidden in them. We can count lengths and perimeter along the edges, see the areas on the faces and touch the volumes built in the kites. And then we will look for, find and discover all of the hidden tetrahedron numbers and find the connection between similar shapes. Why does the volume get to n^3.

Speakers

Art Mabbott

Saturday October 26, 2024 8:30am - 9:45am PDT
Saskatchewan, Fairmont 4599 Chateau Blvd, Whistler, BC V8E 0Z5, Canada

Middle to Secondary Middle Secondary

8:30am PDT

The art of designing assessment - Low-floor, high-ceiling investigative tasks as assessments.

Saturday October 26, 2024 8:30am - 9:45am PDT

Emerald A, Westin

Are you seeking a supplement or replacement for chapter tests? This session will provide examples of various investigative tasks designed to enable students of varying abilities to demonstrate a range of competencies using their math knowledge and concepts learned in class. These tasks align not only with the BC curriculum (Grades 8-12) content and competencies but also aim to uncover the beauty and practical applications of mathematics. Additionally, the speaker will share insights into the rationale and planning process behind designing these tasks as assessments, as well as how they contribute to building transferable skills.

Speakers

Duncan Li

Duncan is an IB-trained high school math teacher teaching in Vancouver, who has also taught internationally. Central to his teaching philosophy is the cultivation of transferable skills, fostering an environment where students not only grasp mathematical concepts but also uncover... Read More →

Saturday October 26, 2024 8:30am - 9:45am PDT
Emerald A, Westin 4090 Whistler Way, Whistler, BC V8E 1J3

Middle to Secondary, Assessment Secondary | Middle, Assessment Secondary | Secondary, Assessment Secondary

10:05am PDT

Navigating Assessment Practices: A Collaborative Session

Saturday October 26, 2024 10:05am - 11:20am PDT

Emerald A, Westin

Discover how SBG empowers professional judgment decisions and fosters student growth. We'll share best practices for implementing SBG effectively, ensuring fairness and consistency. Moderated marking takes centre stage as we explore techniques to maintain rigour while ensuring fairness. Dive into competency-based rubrics and learn analyze sample student work, celebrating strengths and identifying growth areas. Engage in rich discussions with colleagues, exchanging ideas, and experiences.

Speakers

Phil Stringer

Department Head of Mathematics, Crofton House School

Phil is the department head of mathematics at Crofton House School in Vancouver. He has taught in both public and independent schools for the past 25 years. Phil has presented locally, nationally, and internationally on assessment and pedagogy. Outside of the classroom, he can be... Read More →

Saturday October 26, 2024 10:05am - 11:20am PDT
Emerald A, Westin 4090 Whistler Way, Whistler, BC V8E 1J3

Middle to Secondary, Assessment Secondary | Middle, Assessment Secondary | Secondary, Assessment Secondary