MathEd Forum

December 23, 2024
THE FIELDS INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH IN MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES

FIELDS MATHED FORUM MEETING AGENDA
Theme: MATHEMATICS EDUCATION FOR GIFTED

September 24, 2011, 10AM - 2PM
Fields Institute, 222 College Street, Toronto

MORNING PROGRAM:
10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Reports: OAME, OMCA, OCMA, CMS, and other.

10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Dr. Viktor Freiman (Professeur agrégé, Université de Moncton, NB)

Title: How to challenge mathematically gifted students in our classrooms: From research to practice

SHORT DESCRIPTION: Research on mathematical talent and giftedness emphasizes that these students, starting from early grades, need to be stimulated and nurtured in order to develop their mathematical ability. At the same time, studies show that educational needs of mathematically gifted students are not always taken into account by school curricula and teaching practices thus leaving them on their own in their desire to learn more about mathematics. How can we help those students to realize their full intellectual potential?

In the first part of his talk, Dr. Freiman will review recent state of research and practice on mathematical giftedness form the international and Canadian perspective. In the second part, he will discuss examples of challenging situations that can be developed and implemented by teachers based on research data and best practices.

11:00 a.m. - 11: 30 a.m. Panel of mathematics teachers working with gifted children

Panelists include:
Mr. Jeff Kuindersma, Waterloo Catholic District School Board
Mr. Andrew Macpherson, Waterloo Catholic District School Board

11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Panel of gifted mathematics students from the Fields Mathematics Circles

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. LUNCH BREAK
(Light refreshments provided)

AFTERNOON PROGRAM:
1:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. Dr. Zohreh Shahbazi (UT Scarborough)

Title: Strategies for working with gifted undergraduate students of mathematics (slides)

SHORT DESCRIPTION: In this presentation, Dr. Shahbazi will briefly explain the strategies that she uses in her regular undergraduate math courses to ensure that gifted students are equally engaged in meaningful activities along the mainstream agenda for the entire class. She will also outline, in her capacity as the Coordinator of the Math and Stats Learning Centre, a number of initiatives that provide mathematical challenges to the broad range of undergraduate students at the University of Toronto Scarborough, such as problem-solving seminars, students' seminars and problem of the week.

1:15 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. General Discussion

2:00 p.m. Adjournment

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