Mathegramming Academy aims to build Responsibility and Rigor in children and generate Results through mentoring of Mathematics through projects in programming and leadership in action. In this newsletter, we capture the initiatives that have taken off with the mentoring of teachers and engagement with children in government schools. This is a glimpse of the last two months of what Mathegramming Academy delivered.
MATHEGRAMMING TOURNAMENT
Explore math in action with code! Join the Mathegramming Scratch Tournament, where you’ll use Scratch to turn math ideas into interactive wonders. From stories to games, unleash your creativity. No equations, just pure math magic!
Embracing the Future of Education: UGC Faculty training at STEM Land
On July 29th, 2023, the vibrant campus of STEMland welcomed esteemed faculty members from diverse disciplines and various states across India as part of the faculty training program Gurudakshita program. Dr. Sanjeev, the founder of STEMland, warmly received the group and initiated the session with what we as teachers want to manifest in the world along with an engaging presentation on the B.Voc program and the Mathegramming Academy. The B.Voc program blends vocational education with traditional academic courses, providing students with industry-relevant skills and knowledge.
The Mathegramming Academy to combine mathematics and computer programming, enabling students to leverage computational thinking in solving real-world challenges was appreciated for its effectiveness in nurturing critical thinking skills and enhancing problem-solving abilities among students.
The visiting faculty members were from diverse academic backgrounds, representing disciplines such as Management, Physics, Botany, Philosophy, History, and Chemistry. Each of them hailed from different states in India, including Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Kerala. The age range of the faculty members was between 35 to 45, a group known for its dynamic energy, professional experience, and open- mindedness to embrace new educational approaches.
The Gurudakshita program emphasizes
interdisciplinary learning, promoting collaboration across different academic domains to implement NEP and encourage youth to become critical thinkers and responsible global citizens.
The faculty members participated in hands-on sessions and discussions during the training program.
They actively shared their experiences, challenges, and aspirations, fostering a vibrant exchange of ideas. This collaborative atmosphere laid the foundation for building a strong network of educators committed to transformative education.
After the training sessions, the faculty members were given a tour of the STEMland campus. They witnessed the implementation of the innovative curriculum, where classrooms were transformed into hubs of creativity and inquiry.They were inspired by the institution’s commitment to providing students with a holistic and cutting-edge education. The experience motivated them to explore new pedagogical approaches and integrate real- world applications into their teaching methods.
The day concluded with a sense of optimism and excitement. insights gained at STEMland, they are bound to catalyze a positive change in the lives of their students and the broader community.
Mathegramming Academy trains Vaasavi international school teachers
Vaasavi International School is a private CBSE school in Puducherry that offers a holistic education. The school has been selected to be a model school in Pondicherry for implementing NEP. The school is committed to using technology to enhance learning which is where we are supporting them. .
Mathegramming Academy and Vaasavi International School have partnered first to provide training for teachers The partnership is focussing on using technology for children to program and make mathematics (and sciences) learning engaging and effective . Our learning modules synthesize the technical development of a teacher along with developing competence and supporting inner capacity with RTL (Radical Transformational Leadership) tools. This is because skill in itself is insufficient to create meaningful and sustainable change in society.
Mathegramming Academy recently conducted the first teaching training session for teachers at Vaasavi International School on 13th June 2023. The Mathegramming Academy team with support from C3STREAM Land Designs (C3SLD) seniors who visited the school and presented a session on the RTL tool Stand and Fear and a brief explanation about the upcoming sessions. The session focused on how to use technology to enhance math learning.
A short video on what C3SLD has been doing in the last 10 yrs which is being codified in Mathegramming Academy was shared as an introduction.
The partnership is expected to benefit both Mathegramming Academy and Vaasavi International School. For Mathegramming Academy this offers an opportunity to reach out to 320 children (initial target from 6th-8th grade) and in time the remaining teachers who are currently getting trained as well.
Vaasavi International School will be able to offer its students a more radical approach to learning. The partnership is a significant step forward for both Mathegramming Academy and Vaasavi International School and a sign of their commitment to using technology to enhance math and science learning. Mathegramming Academy recently conducted the first teaching training session for teachers at Vaasavi International School on 13th June 2023. The Mathegramming Academy team with support from C3STREAM Land Designs (C3SLD) seniors who visited the school and presented a session on the RTL tool Stand and Fear and a brief explanation about the upcoming sessions. The session focused on how to use technology to enhance math learning.
A short video on what C3SLD has been doing in the last 10 yrs which is being codified in Mathegramming Academy was shared as an introduction.
The training then was led by Mathegramming Academy’s founder, Dr. Sanjeev. During the training session, Sanjeev delivered on sourcing one’s universal values to lead a transformation. Each teacher shared what they deeply care about. Sandhiya from C3SLD presented our socialized fear and how to transcend this fear to do something new followed by insights (what I learned about myself). Sanjeev and Sandhiya processed insights. Sanjeev also explained how Mathegramming Academy can help students visualize math concepts, solve problems more effectively, and develop critical thinking skills by training teachers
The teachers at Vaasavi International School were deeply influenced by the training and shared their insights on discovering the qualities they stand for and want to see in children. They also appreciated the opportunity to learn about new ways to use technology in math learning. They are excited to use the skills they learned in the training session to create more engaging and effective math lessons for their students.
Mathegramming Academy is looking forward to being in action. We have so far conducted 4 training programs with the teachers.
Igniting Minds through Innovative STEM- Centric Sessions in Edayanchavadi and Bommayarpalayam Government Schools When looking at location action Mathegramming Academy embarked on a remarkable journey with the government schools located in Edayanchavadi and Bommayarpalayam. These training sessions were directly with children aimed to equip students with the tools and techniques needed to create engaging and impactful learning experiences.
The training sessions for Government School Edayanchavadi are slated for every Friday, while sessions for Government School Bommayarpalayam are scheduled every Monday. Each training session spans a duration of 2 hours. Among the highlights were explorations into STEM education, ground rules, and explocation based learning using GeoGebra.
The training sessions started with an introduction to STEMland and our goal of supporting children’s creativity and critical thinking and for meaningful learning experiences.
We shared the ground rules of STEMland – respect yourself, respect others and respect the materials. These guidelines foster a collaborative and supportive environment to learn. This initial step set the tone for a productive and engaging training experience and learn from one another.
One of the highlights of the training sessions was the introduction to GeoGebra – a versatile mathematical software that allows for discovery learning and create interactive visualizations and simulations
Through hands-on activities, teachers and students discovered how GeoGebra could be integrated in their learning, transforming abstract concepts into tangible visualizations. Exploring the Sum of Interior Angles of a Triangle was something that children could see and then explore noticing that no matter how a triangle was drawn the sum of the interior angles always added up to 180 degrees.
The utilization of GeoGebra not only demystified mathematical concepts but also kindled a passion for exploration and discovery among young minds.
Mathegramming Academy’s teacher and children training sessions in Edayanchavadi and Bommayarpalayam illuminated a path
toward a brighter future for
education. As we celebrate this
remarkable endeavor, we continue to champion
innovative approaches in education, especially for those who do not have access
to it.
This
approach not only makes mathematics more engaging
but also helps students internalize abstract
concepts by visualizing them through code.
It also allows children to share something concrete
to their peers adding a sense of responsibility to their learning. These presentations also act as a way to revisit a concept
or get an introduction to a new concept (across
grades).
Empowering Students Through Mathegramming Academy: A Journey of Learning at Isai ambalam and Udavi School
Mathegramming Academy, a unique blend of visual mathematics and programming is looking to ground its learning locally. Students in Isai ambalam School and Udavi School are looking to create projects that help them deepen their understanding of the topics taken up in their classes. A couple of children in each grade took up the challenge each time to create projects for a topic by putting in a little more time practicing at home and using the time in the school to do projects.
This approach not only makes mathematics more engaging but also helps students internalize abstract concepts by visualizing them through code. It also allows children to share something concrete to their peers adding a sense of responsibility to their learning. These presentations also act as a way to revisit a concept or get an introduction to a new concept (across grades).
The students who took up projects found that it challenged them and made them think creatively, needing to experiment with different approaches and come up with their solutions.
This approach not only enhances problem- solving skills but also gives a sense of confidence and accomplishment.
This is creating projects and children who are championing new approaches to education.
Gist of further sessions at Vaasavi International School
Mathegramming Academy continued to engage with the teachers of Vaasavi International School to support them learn and design a program that will work for their school. The third week delved into reflections on system principles, Mathegramming project demos, algebraic tiles, and designing classes with Conscious full System Response (CFSR).
Reflections on System Principles:
Educators reflected on their understanding of how components within a system interact and influence each other. Teachers learned how to apply the principles of systems and culture in their classrooms, considering the dynamics between students, curriculum, and teaching methods. By incorporating system thinking into their teaching approach, instructors can develop more holistic and effective educational strategies.
Mathegramming Project Demos:D
One of the highlights of this session was the demonstration of Mathegramming projects by the term based requests that the teachers had brought up in the previous sessions. The team showcased interactive projects that demonstrated complex mathematical concepts and science topics through fun and engaging scratch programs. It sparked excitement among the educators as they realized the potential of integrating technology into their lessons to enhance student’s learning experiences.
Introduction to Algebraic Tiles:
Algebra can be a challenging subject for students, but the training session introduced a powerful tool for teaching algebraic concepts: algebraic tiles. Educators were given hands-on experience in using algebraic tiles to demonstrate factorization, forming equations, and exploring algebraic identities. The teachers felt that the tactile nature of algebraic tiles helps students visualize abstract algebraic expressions, making the learning process more accessible and enjoyable.
Designing Classes using Conscious Full System Response (CFSR): CFSR, an emerging teaching methodology, emphasizes creating a response that addresses immediate needs, systemic shifts required as well as fostering inner capacity.
Teachers were guided on how to design their classes by considering the needs, interests, and learning styles of their students. The CFSR approach encourages teachers to be adaptable, intuitive, and empathetic in their interactions with students. This fosters a positive and inclusive learning atmosphere that encourages active participation and academic growth.
The teacher training sessions at Vaasavi International School were an enriching and empowering experience for all participants. As educators, they discovered new and innovative ways to inspire and educate their students effectively. The insights gained from the sessions on system principles, Mathegramming, algebraic tiles, and CFSR will undoubtedly impact their teaching practices positively.