tgc monthly – october

TXGRADCENTER.ORG

Local:PSJA ISD hosts “College For All Conference”

Math News:100-year old Brooklyn math teacher still going strong

Spotlight:TGC Academic Tutor Dr. Joseph Chance

October2014TEXAS

GRADUATE CENTERMonthly

October 2014TXGRADCENTER.ORG

2 | Texas Graduate Center

Texas GraduaTeCenTer

Texas Graduate Center is a public-private initiative of the Texas Valley Communities Foundation

MATHTEACH Collaborative Presents:

S rdjan Divac studied computer science and applied mathematics, then pure mathematics at Harvard University, Tufts University and Boston University. He

has been teaching math at various levels for the last 25 years at Harvard, Tufts, Boston University and Boston University Academy, and has collaborated on a number of textbooks and educational projects. Srdjan is a many-time recipient of the Harvard University Certificate of Distinction in Teaching. He was also nominated for the Levenson award, the highest teaching honor at Harvard. He also spent about six years helping to inflate and deflate the dot com bubble.

January 14, 2015 • Region One ESCWorkshop # TBA

HarvardExtEnsionscHool

Harvard Math Professor Dr. Srdjan Divac

Thank you to our MATHTEACH Collaborative

Partners:



06 Math-BriefingA round-up of mathematics related news, interesting tid-bits and inno-vatinve breakthroughs from around the country.

08 Student Attributes for Math SuccessThese attributes are a critical component of and foundation for improving mathematical ability and overcoming math anxiety.

10 Spotlight: Dr. Joe ChanceDr. Chance serves as an academic tutor with the TGC and conducts weekend tutorial sessions for our Calculus 1 students in the program.

14 PSJA ISD’s College For All ConferenceThe Conference offered sessions which focused on college completion and sharing best practices for getting students “To and Through College.”

In this issue...

PSJA ISD’s “College For All Conference” shared best practices and innovative designs that foster college readiness in the district.

Harvard UniversityExtension School

The Texas Graduate Center has partnered with the

Harvard University Extension School to

implement the Math for Teaching Graduate

Program. Harvard Extension School is one

of the twelve degree-granting schools of Harvard

University, offering professional certificates

and liberal arts-based undergraduate and

graduate degree programs aimed at nontraditional

students, as well as open-enrollment continuing

education courses.

TEXAS GRADUATE

CENTERMonthly

PresidentDr. Roland Arriola

executive directorDr. Mary Alice Reyes

AssociAte directorAdriana V. Lopez

designer & PhotogrAPherDavid Alvarado

AcAdemic AdvisorDr. Edwin LeMaster

tgc oFFices1098 W. Expressway 83

Mercedes, Texas78570

The Texas Graduate Center (TGC), a component of the Texas Valley Communities Foundation, has been established to support programs in higher education that will guide new and emerging leaders in education to implement transformational change that will impact schools and communities. TGC will offer distance learning graduate programs from outstanding universities in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The TGC will make available the latest telepresence technology and virtual classrooms with direct connection to world-class undergraduate and graduate programs from across the country. TGC will also serve as a college and career readiness facilitator offering assistance in selecting, preparing and enrolling in nationally recognized graduate programs.

About Us:

Annenburg hall,harvard university



The recipient, Maryam Mirzakhani, a pro-fessor at Stanford, was one of four win-ners honored on Wednesday at the Inter-national Congress of Mathematicians in

Seoul, South Korea. The Fields Medal is given every four years, and several can be awarded at once. The other recipients this year are Artur Avila of the National In-stitute of Pure and Applied Mathematics in Brazil and the National Center for Sci-entific Research in France; Manjul Bhar-gava of Princeton University; and Martin Hairer of the University of Warwick in England. “This is a great honor. I will be happy if it encourages young female scien-tists and mathematicians,” Dr. Mirzakhani was quoted as saying in a Stanford news release on Tuesday. “I am sure there will be many more women winning this kind of award in coming years.”

You do math in your head most of the time, but you can also teach your body how to do it. Florian Krause investigated how our brain processes and understands numbers and number size. He shows that movements and sensory perception help us understand numbers. Krause defends his thesis on October 10 at Radboud University. When learning to do math, it helps to see that two marbles take up less space than twenty or to feel that a bag with ten apples weighs more than a bag with just one. During his PhD at Radboud Uni-versity’s Donders Institute, Krause investigated which brain areas represent size and how these areas work together. He concludes that number size is associated with sizes experienced by our body.

Kathryn Webster listens to her computer spit out a rapid-fire stream of numbers and symbols in a metallic voice. To the average person, the comput-er is speaking robotic gibberish. To Webster, an aspiring mathematician who also happens to be blind, the computer is describing a statistics prob-lem. Despite losing her vision three years ago due to complications from the flu, Webster entered Wake Forest last fall with the specific goal of pur-suing a dual degree in mathematics and business.

Three days a week, Madeline Scotto walks across the street from her home to St. Ephrem’s elementary school, where she was part of the first graduat-ing class. She climbs the stairs to her classroom, where she works to pre-pare students for the math bee. She pores over photocopied worksheets with complicated problems, coaching kids on how to stay calm on stage while multiplying and dividing in their head. She’s just like any other teacher at the school — except for one thing: She’s 100 years old. “I think it just happens, you know. You don’t even realize it,” said Scotto, who marked her birthday on Thursday. “Last year I thought, ‘This can’t be, that I’m going to be 100.’ I sat down and did the math actually. I thought, I could not trust my mind. This I had to put paper to pencil — I couldn’t believe it myself.

A multi-institutional, international team led by Virginia Tech researchers studied cells found in breast and other types of connective tissue and discovered new information about cell transi-tions that take place during wound healing and cancer. Mathematical models to predict the dy-namics of cell transitions have been developed by researchers who compared their results with actual measurements of activity in cell popula-tions. The results could inform efforts to treat cancer patients.

100-Year-Old Math Teacher Still Going Strong

Technology Helps Event the Odds for Blind Students

Modeling cancer: Researchers prove models can predict cellular processes

Iranian mathematician first woman to receive the “Nobel Prize” of mathematics award.

Doing Math With Your Body

Math-Briefing

How mathematicians are aiding fight against epidemics like Ebola

“While big data analysts and statisticians process observational information to re-fine a picture of what is happening, where and when,” writes Mathematical biologist Ben Adams (University of Bath), “mathe-matical modelers instead distill into equa-tions the fundamental mechanisms that govern epidemiological dynamics such as transmission, incubation, recovery, treatment and quarantine.” Models can be set up and analyzed quickly enough, Adams says, to enable decision makers to conduct thought experiments in rapid succession, exploring alternative actions.

A prosthetic hand, which provides a sense of touch acute enough to handle an egg, has been complet-ed and is now exploited by the NEBIAS project after 10 years of EU-funded research. The world's most advanced bionic hand was tested with the help of amputee Dennis Aabo Sørensen who was able to grasp objects intuitively and identify what he was touch-ing, while blindfolded.Researchers have created a new neural interface to provide senso-ry information from an artificial hand to the brain. This interface is able to link the patient's nervous system with the artificial sensors, embedded in the prosthesis, en-abling the user to control complex hand and finger movements.Mr Sørensen, whose hand was amputated ten years ago, has been participating in the project's experiments, 'They gave me a baseball to hold and for the first time in a decade I could feel I was holding something round in my prosthetic hand.'

The World’s Most Advanced

Bionic Hand



Correctly follows all parts of oral and written directions without needing additional reminders. Makes few notational errors, e.g., accidentally changing digits, dropping or altering algebra symbols, incorrectly positioning points on a grid, etc.

The Learner should perceive mathematics as a way of understanding–a belief that mathematics must make sense and is not a sequence of algorithms to be memorized and applied. The Learner should actively explore new ideas, posing questions about their meaning, significance, and implications as well as recognizing patterns and deviations–from previously learned patterns in data, diagrams, symbols, and words. The Learner appreciates that abstractions and generalization are important sources of the power of mathematics and is willing to take risks and be challenged as part of the learning process. The Learner contributes to and benefits from group problem-solving activities.

In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work–brains and talent are just the starting point.

PAYS ATTENTiON TO DETAil:

DEMONSTRATE iNTEllEcTuAl engagement:

TAkES RESPONSiBiliTY fOR THEiR OWN lEARNiNG:

ENGAGES iN POSiTivE SElf-TAlk:

uNDERSTANDS GROWTH MiNDSET

The Learner should attend nearly every class session and when absent, seek ways to learn the material covered in class in addition to examining and learning from his or her errors and seeks help when needed. The Learner sets academic goals, takes advantage of available resources such as class time, notes, textbook, assignments, tutoring services, supplemental materials.

Students are mindful of what they say to themselves in regards to their math ability. They develop positive affirmations such as "I will succeed in this course!" or "I love math!" to counteract any negative feelings they may have about their abilities or about math itself.

The Learner should set aside the time necessary to be successful and be willing to work on problems that require time and thought, particularly problems that cannot be solved by mimicking a previously seen example. The Learner should successfully complete tasks that require organizing and implementing multiple steps, concepts, or techniques and recognizes when an approach is unproductive and makes logical modifications to that approach or switches to another approach. Learner should be convinced that effort is an important component of success in mathematics.

PERSEvERES WHEN fAcED WiTH TiME cONSuMiNG/cOMPlEx TASkS:

T he purpose of Student Attributes for Math Success (SAMS) is to increase student engage-ment, improve student preparation for post-secondary success, and improve mathematical understanding while decreasing math anxiety. These attributes are a critical component of

and foundation for improving mathematical ability and overcoming math anxiety. To be effective, improvement efforts need to address a student’s mindset as well as an understanding that there is shared responsibility where student success is concerned between the teacher and the student. Source: transitionmathproject.org



Spotlight:Dr. Joseph Chance

Dr. Joseph E. “Joe” Chance, retired professor of mathematics at the University of Texas - Pan American, serves as an Academic Tutor with the Texas Graduate Center. Dr. Chance conducted weekend tutorials for Calculus I students participating in the Harvard Math for Teaching Graduate Program.

Dr. Chance is a fifth generation Texan whose great-great-grandfather fought for Texas independence at San Jacinto and whose great-grandfather fought for Texas independence at Shiloh. He is the author of 10 books, numerous articles and essays, and the newspaper column, “History by Chance,” that appeared in The Valley Morning Star. The latest book, “The Best of History by Chance,” is a compilation of some of his favorite columns and essays. These range in interest from a study of the cowboy ballad “Sam Bass” to a history of Texas’ greatest football team. You are sure to find something you like in the pages of this book.



“T he Best of History by Chance” is an enter-taining collection of stories that were so acclaimed by readers

that many requested the stories be reprinted. A fifth generation Texan, Dr. Chance was raised in Austin before making the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) his home. Now a resident of Edinburg, Texas, Dr. Chance is married with three daugh-ters. His published works include “My Life in the Old Army: The Reminiscences of Abner Doubleday,” “Murder in Mathis” and his most recent book, “The Best of History by Chance.” When Dr. Chance is not writing, you are likely to see him driving around the RGV in his Chevy S10 pickup, looking for inspiration for his next book. Between the years 2000 and 2002, his weekly column, “History by Chance,” appeared in The Valley Morning Star. The title of the column was inspired by a favorite high school teacher. The teacher attended football games and was amused by the announcer’s play-by-play comment, “Tack-le by Chance.” She thought it added a probabilis-tic flavor to the game. His essays cover an array of topics but deal pri-marily with Rio Grande Valley history. Subjects include an analysis of the famous cowboy song, “The Ballad of Sam Bass,” sung by cowboys herd-ing longhorn cattle from South Texas to the Cana-dian border. Also included are his reflections on various cultures from the women of Afghanistan to the lovely ladies of South Texas and Northern Mexico. During his research for several of his books and articles, Dr. Chance came upon interesting tidbits of history that were often buried within the pages of musty tomes. He felt these historical tidbits de-

served to be resurrected for the pleasure and ed-ucation of contemporary readers. An intriguing story is included about the wartime experiences of Sam Houston, Jr., who over the protests of his fa-mous father, shouldered his musket and marched off to do his part in the struggle for Southern In-dependence. A special feature of this collection is the series “Rogues of the Rio Grande,” which highlights several of the villains that came to set-tle on the border.

GIRLS ENGAGED IN MATHEMATICS

Building CONFIDENCE and reducing MATH ANXIETYThe notion that only boys can become scientists and engineers has persisted over time. Studies have shown that negative stereotypes about girls’ abilities in mathematics and science have impacted their performance in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and math) areas.

To schedule a gem camp aT your school, conTacT: Dr. Mary Alice ReyesExecutive [email protected]

girls engaged in maThemaTics is a public-privaTe iniTiaTive

of The Texas valley communiTies foundaTion.

G.E.M.Dr. Chance came upon interesting tidbits of history that were often buried within the pages of musty tomes. He felt these historical tidbits deserved to be resurrected for the pleasure and education of contemporary readers.

Spotlight



These sessions focused on college completion and sharing best practices for getting students “To and Through College.” Attendees learned about potential pitfalls and solutions to dra-matically increase college completion. PSJA ISD developed innovative solutions and prac-

tices to solving some of the most serious challenges that face the PSJA community as well as the State of Texas and our nation. Sessions focused on organizational and system-ic issues, and adaptations that have taken place to build ca-pacity for scaling PSJA’s Early College High School. PSJA ISD has taken a specific approach to ensure that its stu-dents who have fallen off-track not only reengage for high

school graduation, but that they prepare for and transition to a post-secondary education. The Conference focused on the structures and strategies that have made PSJA ISD a top performer in high school completion rates, and methods for impacting college completion for high school dropout and at-risk students.At the conference, PSJA Superintendent Dr. Daniel King spoke on PSJA ISD’s mission to provide comprehen-sive, quality instructional programs that help connect every student to college and/or the career of their choice as well as how PSJA implements its Common Instructional Frame-work with the help of Educate Texas and Jobs for the Future to better prepare its students for post-secondary

“College For All” ConferencePSJA ISD’s “College For All” Conference shared best practices and innovative

designs which give every single student the opportunity to earn at least 12 college hours by high school graduation, with an emphasis on earning Associate Degrees

or two-years of college while completing core coursework.

education. Giovanni Ferrigno, Vice-Pres-ident of Parental Learning Programs for Texas Valley Communities Foundation, spoke during PSJA’s Parental Engagement Program Session about the Parent Acad-emy for the Success of Schools. PASOS is a 9 session program that provides parents with the tools and strategies to become better involved in thier child’s learning. Ferrigno’s presentation shared promising practices that show how PSJA is working to empower parents to fulfill their educa-tional needs and take charge of improv-ing their lives, their family circumstances and their community.

PRESENTATiONS iNcluDED SPEAkERS fROM:Texas Education Agency (TEA), South Texas College (STC), Educate Texas, Jobs for the Future (JFF), University of Tex-as-Pan American, Region One ESC, RGV Focus, IDRA, ARISE and the Texas Val-ley Communities Foundation (TVCOF).

ABOVE: Giovanni Ferrigno (left), Vice-President of Parental Learning Pro-grams, spoke about TVCOF’s successful implementation of the Parent Acade-my for Success of Schools in the PSJA School District. TGC Executive Director Dr. Mary Alice Reyes (second from right) also attended the event.BELOW: PSJA’s Parental Engagement Program has built a structured pro-gram for parents. Sessions shared promising practices that show how PSJA is empowering parents to fulfill their educational needs and take charge of improving their lives, their family circumstances and their community.

October 2014


The Texas Graduate Center is a public-private initiative of the

Texas Valley Communities Foundation.

tgc monthly – october

Documents

schools of harvard university

teaching graduate program

graduate degree programs

tufts university

boston university academy

math anxiety

harvard extension school

psja isds college