MATHEMATICS COUNCIL OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
Winter 2007
Inside—
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Workshop info
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Forms
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Algebra
contest turns
50! Read info
on the special
test from 1956!
New Web
Address
From the PresidentI hope that you had a happy holiday and that you are having a wonderful
2007.
Seven Springs was a beautiful setting for mathematics in October 2006.
There were many wonderful sessions and connections made between mathematics educators across the state. One of the attractions of having 700 plus
mathematics educators together is the sharing of resources to discuss new
technology, learning some hints for particular topics and then the sharing
among fellow mathematics educators. It is always a good experience for me.
A big thank you to the many MCWP members who helped to make this event
a reality. Nina Girard as co-chair, Mary Lou Metz and Janet Walker as program chairs, Brian Sharp, Ann Massey, John Uccellini, Cathy Schloemer, Tom
Short and many others. I am sure I missed someone’s contribution and I
apologize. MCWP also contributed excellent speakers to this event.
We are starting to plan the PCTM conference for 2009 to be in Pittsburgh,
so I look forward to many volunteers as we move to more in-depth planning
over the next year or so.
MCWP plans to host two other workshops this year. You will find details of
a workshop to make mathematics meaning using applications for January to
be Saturday Jan 20 at Pitt from 9;30-noon. Please check the information
within the newsletter and RSVP to hold your spot and assure we have enough
participation to warrant the timing of this event.
Chris Czapelski is working with Doyt Jones of Texas Instruments to host
an event for MCWP members at Shadyside Academy sometime in March or
April. Please check out the opportunity to provide input into which calculators
are of interest, so we can plan according for these sessions.
Jamie Liptock agreed to continue her work as webmaster for MCWP.
Thank you Jamie, we just were able to get our web page (mcwp.us) under
control and we would hate to lose you.
As always, we look for people to become involved and offer suggestions or
ideas. Feel free to e-mail suggestions to me or Sharon Volpe.
Yours in mathematics,
Barbara MacDonald
President MCWP
[email protected]
www.mcwp.us
MCWP
MATHEMATICS COUNCIL OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION 2006-07
Name __________________________________
Phone (
)_____________________
Address ________________________________________________________________________
City ______________________________State _______ Zip Code________
County ______________ Email address ____________________________
School Name ______________________
Address _______________ City __________ State ____ Zip Code _______
Position: _______Student _______Teacher ______Dept Chair _____other (_____________)
Level: _____K-6 ____7-9 _____10-12 ____Jr. College ____College
Member also of _______NCTM
Annual Dues:
_______PCTM
______$10 for one year
______$5 for student
______Three Year membership $25
______ Lifetime retiree fee of $35
______ Institutional Membership of $25 per year
Please return the top portion of this form with a check payable to MCWP to
Yong S. Colen
623 Oak St.
Indiana, PA 15701
[email protected]
*****************************************************************************************************************
Why join Math Council of Western PA.?
• Get the latest information to our area via newsletters. Find out about contests, awards, conferences, and information for western Pa.
• Mini-grants are offered to practicing teachers for on the job research
• An Outstanding Student Teacher Award is given each year for outstanding performance during
elementary and secondary student teaching.
• First Year Algebra Contests are sponsored each spring.
• The Senior High Mathematics League is operated by MCWP throughout the year.
• Contests are supported with certificates and trophies.
• Opportunity to provide additional ACT 48 training. Ask your district to support MCWP, PCTM,
and NCTM events.
• Meetings and Newletters throughout the year.
• Belonging to a professional organization makes you a mathematics professional.
Become a Member and Be Involved in Local Mathematics!!!
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Upcoming Events
for MCWP in 2007
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Officers of MCWP for 2006-07
President - Barbara MacDonald- [email protected]
Recording Secretary - Sharon Volpe
Corresponding Secretary - Cathy Schleomer
Treasurer - Marjory Maher
NCTM representative - Chris Czapelski
January 20 Workshop
March 12 Deadline for Entry into Algebra (Integrated 2)
Contest
March 15 Deadline for mini-grant applications. Deadline
for Student Awards. (See information within this document)
April/May Texas Instrument Workshop at Shady Side
Academy
April 14
Preliminary Algebra (Integrated 2) Contest at
Select Site
May 1
Women in Math Contest due.
May 12
Finals for Algebra Contest at Derry Middle
School
May 15
Deadline for spring semester Earl F. Myers
Mathematics Student Teaching Awards. Forms online.
August
Golf Outing
Board Members - Judy Werner, Joyce Hoellein, John
Uccellini, Andrea Wicks
Membership - Yong S. Colen
Newsletter- Sharon Volpe and Barb MacDonald
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Dear Teacher:
Algebra 1 / Integrated Mathematics II contest
We are looking forward to this year’s
and hope that you will encourage the participation of your students. Although everyone will not be a Regional Winner, we are sure that every participant will benefit mathematically.
Anyone enrolled in Algebra 1 or the second year of Integrated mathematics programs are eligible to participate.
The preliminary test is to begin promptly at 10 a.m. on Saturday April 14, 2007. Make certain your students understand that they are to be in their assigned rooms and settled no later than 9:45. This fifteen minute time period is
to enable the proctors to distribute the materials and read directions.
Please instruct your students to bring at least two number 2 pencils and an eraser. Rooms assigned may not
have pencil sharpeners. Non-graphing and non-programmable calculators will be permitted for both the preliminary
and final competitions. Students also should bring the admission card with them.
Remind your students that there will be NO PENALTY for GUESSING in answering questions on the test.
The test takes one and one-half hours. If busses or parents are returning, the test should be over at 11:30. Following the allotted time, proctors must collect materials and distribute certificates. The students should be ready to
leave at approximately 11:45 a.m.
Thank you for your interest and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Bob Blamick
Contest Chairman
The MCWP Algebra Contest turns 50
and we have a special contest
MCWP had its first algebra contest 50 years ago. While going through old MCWP files, Ann
Massey uncovered the first algebra contest written by Earle Myers. We reviewed this contest at an executive board
meeting of MCWP and with a few minor language revisions we decided to use this same contest this year.
So we are comparing algebra 1957 with 2007. Now for those young mathematics teachers, 1957 was just pre-
What was Sputnik?
Sputnik.
In October 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first artificial satellite to orbit
the earth. This was a time of concern for western cultures. This started an attempt to change mathematics and science
education to increase our knowledge and allow us to compete with the Soviet Union in the race for space. http://
www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/gal100/sputnik.html
Sputnik has had far reaching components including the federal government becoming more involved in education.
http://whyfiles.org/047sputnik/main2.html Likewise the National Science Foundation began to work with teachers and
curriculum to upgrade our technological advances.
It has been said recently that mathematics education today needs a new-sputnik to help launch increased interest
and attention to train our future mathematicians and scientists to prepare the United States to compete globally.
With that in mind, it should be interesting to see how students perform algebraically 50 years later. It was interesting
to note that algebra itself has not changed so dramatically. If it had, we would not be looking at using this algebra contest 50 years later.
Even this could be scary with all the societal and technological advances. So I look forward to using this 50 year old
contest with today’s algebra 1/Integrated Mathematics 2 students. Please encourage your students to participate and
we will follow with a short history lesson on the results.
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MCWP Workshop-January 20
Even wonder what students do with
the mathematics we teach?
Do you need some good mathematical
applications to increase student interest?
MCWP is sponsoring a Workshop for
Middle/High School/Community College
through real-world examples that students can relate to. These examples
come from the field of operations research, which is a scientific and
mathematical approach to help make
better decisions.
All of the materials we will discuss are
available online for free download and
use at www.hsor.org. These materials
were designed by teams of teachers
and operations researchers for use in
the classroom. At the same time, we
will introduce you to the larger world of
operations research.
. How should we schedule employee work shifts?
. What’s the best strategy in a
game of blackjack?
. What will the weather be like tomorrow?
. How long are the lines at Kennywood? Or at your local Giant Eagle?
Registration Information: Please let
Barb MacDonald know if you plan to
attend. Send your name, address,
school, and subjects taught to [email protected] along with
your e-mail address to notify you of
When: From 9:30-12:00 noon. We
changes and provide directions to the
Brady Hunsaker is an Assistant Procan plan a group lunch afterwards if
Pitt location by January 12th. Please
fessor at the University of Pittsburgh
time permits.
Department Of Industrial Engineering. RSVP since we would like to have at
Kevin Kandt is the Director of Manage- least 10 people to make it worth Brady
Cost: $5 if you are a member of
Hunsaker and Kevin Kandt donating
ment Sciences at PPG Industries.
MCWP. Please bring a friend; their
their time to share this information with
cost is $10 which will include membership to MCWP for the remainder of this Participants are eligible to receive cer- us.
tificates for Act 48 credit.
school year.
When: Saturday January 20th
Where: Pitt campus-engineering building. We will send additional directions
to those that RSVP.
The purpose of this presentation is to
introduce you to classroom activities
that reinforce mathematical concepts
Example applications:
. How can we determine the best
route for a delivery truck?
Informs
Since 1996, we have developed thirteen instructional materials for use in
high school mathematics classrooms. Each module develops secondary
mathematics concepts in real-world contexts drawn from the field of operations research. These applications span the spectrum of organizations: from
Bethlehem Steel to Ponderosa Plywood of Mexico, from Hertz to HP, from
routing Meals-on-Wheels to routing Special Ed school buses. The activities
build on the basic math concepts that all high school students study in algebra and many see in an introductory probability or discrete mathematics
course. They are aligned with NCTM's Principles and Standards. You can
download a student activity from the Modules' page at www.hsor.org, but
most of the teacher's guide material appears only in the book Does This Line
Ever Move? Everyday Applications of Operations Research. These activities
are regularly presented in workshops for high school math teachers around
the country. If you would like to request a regional workshop, or to learn more
about operations research, go to www.hsor.org
Visit the Engineering K12 Center (www.engineeringk12.org)
Check out an extensive list of universities with OR programs
(www.informs.org. Click on Education, then For Math Teachers).
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January 20
Workshop
Details inside
New web address
www.mcwp.us
Sharon Volpe
North Allegheny Senior High School
10375 Perry Hwy
Wexford, PA 15090
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