Teaching

03
Dec
2025
Reflecting on “Counted Out”: A Conversation About Maths, Power, and Inclusion

Reflecting on “Counted Out”: A Conversation About Maths, Power, and Inclusion

by the Her Maths Story team

On October 17th, we hosted a digital screening of the documentary Counted Out. This would not have been possible without the generous support of the Counted Out team and we would especially like to thank the director Vicki Abeles for this opportunity.

About the Film

Counted Out explores the invisible yet powerful role of mathematics in shaping our society. In today’s information economy, maths determines so much of our world — from who we date and the news we see, to the elections we vote in and the jobs we get. Through a blend of personal stories, expert interviews, and classroom scenes, the film asks a crucial question: What happens when only a small fraction of society feels confident engaging with maths and what could change if everyone did?

The documentary challenges the idea that being “a maths person” is an innate trait. Instead, it invites us to see maths as a language of empowerment — one that should be accessible to all, not reserved for a select few.

The film highlights a number of influential educators and the remarkable initiatives they have brought to life. A full list of contributors can be found here. Among those featured is civil rights activist Bob Moses, founder of The Algebra Project, an organisation that uses mathematics as a vehicle for social change and advocates for high-quality education for every child in the United States. Karim Ani is also profiled for his work on Citizen Math, a programme that offers immersive, real-world mathematics lessons for students in grades 6–12. The documentary further highlights Math for Love, an initiative created by Dan Finkel devoted to transforming mathematics teaching and learning through engaging games and innovative curriculum design.

The Screening

Before the screening began, we gathered briefly on Zoom to welcome participants and introduce the film. There were participants with various backgrounds, including a PhD student, a science communicator, and a maths educator. Then, everyone went on to watch the documentary. After the screening, our group came together again for a 40-minute discussion. All participants agreed that they enjoyed the film a lot.

Although it focuses primarily on the U.S. education system, its themes felt universal: from the early division of students into “maths” and “non-maths” categories to maths teaching at school being very different from maths taught at university level.

Several ideas stood out in our conversation: Math is for everyone. All children are mathematically talented; it’s the environment, not the individual, that determines how that talent develops. Good teachers make the difference. The challenge of finding and supporting teachers who can teach math effectively and empathetically was a recurring topic. Belonging matters. Especially for women and underrepresented groups, it can take years to feel accepted at the “maths table”. We need to keep that table open, and keep pulling up more chairs.

As one participant noted, “teachers should not judge maths students but focus on teaching them on different levels”. It’s a reminder that inclusion begins in the classroom but must also extend into workplaces, communities, and beyond.

What We Can Do

So what can each of us do to contribute to change?

We can support and uplift others, especially those from minority backgrounds. We can challenge stereotypes about who belongs in maths. And we can continue to create spaces for open conversation about how mathematics shapes our world and who gets to participate in that shaping.

Join the Movement

If you missed this screening, there are more opportunities to engage:
🎬 Join an upcoming screening: countedoutfilm.com/screenings
🎥 Host your own: countedoutfilm.com/host-a-screening

And, most importantly, take some time to reflect on the film’s core message:
Maths is not just about numbers — it’s about power, access, and inclusion.
When more of us see ourselves as “maths people,” we can shape a world that works for everyone.

Published on December 3, 2025.

Posted by HMS in Blog
09
Apr
2025
JoAnne Growney

JoAnne Growney

Born in rural Pennsylvania in 1940 • Studied PhD in Mathematics at University of Oklahoma, United States • Lives in United States • Occupation Taught mathematics at Bloomsburg (PA) University (now part of Commonwealth University); now retired

Before I was a math girl, I was a farm girl – the oldest of three children growing up on a farm in Pennsylvania —  the one who went to the barn with her father while her mother took care of the little ones.

Math (often numbers and counting) was an inconspicuous but central part of farming – counting eggs as I collected them from beneath the hens, counting the sheep as they came into shelter at night to make sure that none had drifted away.  Geometric quantities also were important – the volumes of harvested grains and fruit, the distances between parallel rows of corn, the gallons of milk expected from our Guernsey cow which I milked morning and evening.

My teacher, a graduate of an elite college and unashamed of her math ability, was an energetic and supportive example of “girls can do math.”

Perhaps my farm experience helped me to be good at math – and that skill seemed fine in elementary school years but as my classmates and I moved through high school my female math ability seemed to make people turn away from me.  In my senior year, I was one of only three girls in my math classes.  BUT that year I also had an inspiring experience.  My teacher, a graduate of an elite college and unashamed of her math ability, was an energetic and supportive example of “girls can do math.”

Receipt of a scholarship from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, enabled me to go away from home to continue my education.  (To my dismay, at Westminster I had several “only girl in the class” experiences.)  I started out as a chemistry major but, during my sophomore year. I learned that my “science scholarship” could be used toward a math major and then (preferring math to chemistry) I switched, combining studies of math with secondary education. AND I took creative writing courses and had work published in the campus literary journal. In those days (early 1960’s), many jobs were not available to women – but teaching was.

Graduation from Westminster led to marriage, to secondary school teaching in the Philadelphia area, to evening graduate classes at Temple University – from which I obtained an MA in Mathematics.  My husband (Wallace/Wally) – who had studied physics and math and a bit of computer science – took a job at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA.  I did some part-time teaching at Susquehanna and at nearby Bucknell – but soon we moved to Norman, Oklahoma where Wally would pursue a doctorate so that he could qualify for tenure at Susquehanna. While we were in Oklahoma, with lots of time on my hands, I was able to attain a teaching assistantship and continue my studies also. 

One of the requirements for mathematics professors at Bloomsburg University was to teach “general education” courses for non-majors and this experience led me to write and publish a textbook entitled Mathematics in Daily Life – a book containing material that engaged students in mathematical reasoning related to counting, voting, travel, decision-making, and other frequent concerns. 

Graduate school brought complications to our marriage. In our earlier studies, I had gotten better grades but we credited it to his sports and fraternity activities – AND, I studied more carefully. But at The University of Oklahoma, it became evident that I was the better student and, eventually, that caused stress for both of us. I became his helper. We studied together. During our work on dissertations, I became pregnant. When our doctoral studies were completed, we returned to Pennsylvania, bringing with us a baby daughter.  I secured a tenure-track position at nearby Bloomsburg State College (now part of Commonwealth University).  AND I was able to keep my on-campus schedule to three days per week and to find excellent child care; our care-giver, Erma, was loving and dependable. Our family grew with another childbirth and two adoptions.

Keeping busy helped our marriage survive but over time we began to recognize that things weren’t working and weren’t repairable. This eventually led to divorce and to me and the kids moving to the town of Bloomsburg (and to me avoiding the 30-mile commute).  My time in Bloomsburg involved congenial colleagues, a great neighborhood – a safe place for my children even if I was not with them and walk-to schools.  When my children grew up – and left home for college and marriage and  . . . I found time to revive my childhood interest (begun as a child reading Robert Louis Stevenson’s A Child’s Garden of Verses) to poetry.

One of my favorite poems celebrates the mathematician, Amalie Emmy Noether;  it’s title is “My Dance is Mathematics”

One of the requirements for mathematics professors at Bloomsburg University was to teach “general education” courses for non-majors and this experience led me to write and publish a textbook entitled Mathematics in Daily Life – a book containing material that engaged students in mathematical reasoning related to counting, voting, travel, decision-making, and other frequent concerns.  Work on this project and — even more so — my interest in poetry drew me into connections with other colleagues (in English and Philosophy and . . . and I gradually began to participate in poetry events and publication in addition to my math-related activities.

Writing poetry was an activity that I much enjoyed – and many of my poems incorporate mathematical ideas.  One of my favorite poems celebrates the mathematician, Amalie Emmy Noether;  it’s title is “My Dance is Mathematics” and it is available online at this link:   https://joannegrowney.com/ChapbookMyDance.html ;  here is its opening stanza:

They called you der Noether, as if mathematics

was only for men.  In 1964, nearly thirty years

past your death, at last I saw you in a spotlight,

in a World’s Fair mural, “Men of Modern Mathematics.”

Once my kids were grown – and using some funds inherited from a great aunt – I began to engage in travel-related math-and-poetry activities.  Via “Teachers for Tomorrow” – a non-profit organized by one of my high school friends – I spent part of several summers teaching (math and poetry and English conversation) – in India and in Romania. 

A few years into retirement, I moved south to the Washington, DC area where three of my four children were living with their young families.  And I am still here!

More can be learned about me at my website: https://joannegrowney.com. In 2010 I began to write a blog entitled “Intersections – Poetry with Mathematics” (found at   https://poetrywithmathematics.blogspot.com/) – and, with more than 1600 posts so far, my blogging continues.  My own thought processes seem to follow the rule that “everything connects” – and this article shares some related ideas:  https://joannegrowney.com/Everything-Connects–JMA-Growney-26June2020.pdf

THANK YOU for reading!  I hope you also enjoy math and poetry and their connections!

Published on April 9, 2025.
Image credit: Diann Growney Harrity

Posted by HMS in Stories
02
Oct
2024
Nadia Abdelal

Nadia Abdelal

Born in Tripoli, Lebanon • Birth year 1975 • Studied Science and Education at Monash University in Melbourne • Highest Degree Post Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education • Lives in Melbourne, Australia • Occupation Mathematics Education Specialist

There were only two things I ever wanted to be as a child – an artist or a scientist. Growing up as the daughter of a struggling artist, you can guess which one I was vehemently encouraged not to pursue. So, with great regret, I set aside my artistic dreams to focus on the more ‘financially stable’ study of science.

However, for a young migrant girl born in the 1970s, things were not that simple. Back then, women and girls weren’t even close to touching the glass ceiling, let alone breaking it. We were too busy dodging patriarchal bullets. For many women, particularly those of certain ethnicities, the central mission was marriage and children. Our dreams didn’t amount to much because there was only really one worth pursuing, and it definitely did not end with the word “scientist”.

(…) How does someone who was told by teachers that she would never understand maths, and who failed almost all her maths exams, end up as a maths education specialist?

Despite this, I was not discouraged. Much to the dismay of my mother, I had inherited my father’s burning desire to punch the status quo right in the face. Consequently, my feminist roots sprouted early. If I’m being totally honest, while I genuinely loved science, the idea of pushing against gender stereotypes, some of which still exist today, was equally as appealing. So, I set my course with determination.

It was not without its obstacles – and there were many. One obstacle in particular that could have derailed my entire professional future was my ongoing struggle with mathematics. I didn’t just struggle a little; I struggled a lot. For as long as I can remember, and throughout school, it was one of my greatest sources of shame. My failures in this subject accompanied me through primary school, high school, and even into university, where I eventually graduated with a major in physics and geophysics.

But how? How does someone manage to get a degree in physics while struggling so much with maths? And how does someone who was told by teachers that she would never understand maths, and who failed almost all her maths exams, end up as a maths education specialist? The answer is this: it’s not that I wasn’t good at maths, or that I couldn’t understand it. It was simply that I couldn’t understand the way maths was being taught to me!

Traditional mathematics approaches may work for a small percentage of the population, but the majority, especially those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, non-native language speakers, or those with non-neurotypical brains, are rarely among that select few.

Traditional mathematics approaches may work for a small percentage of the population, but the majority, especially those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, non-native language speakers, or those with non-neurotypical brains, are rarely among that select few. Unfortunately for me, I fell into all three categories, so school was a constant struggle. However, science was my art – a creative outlet for my curiosity, and anyone can tell you that when you love something and are curious about it, the teaching becomes secondary to the learning.

As I moved further into my career, I began to apply this newfound understanding to my teaching, shifting away from traditional methods and towards more conceptual approaches to maths education – methods that I wished I had been exposed to as a child and as a student of STEM.

The decision to leave the safety of my classroom in 2016 was a very difficult and personal one. However, it shaped some of the greatest learnings and experiences of my lifetime, and three years later, it led me to begin my company, EM Maths Consulting.

I began my life wanting to be one of two things, an artist or a scientist, and little did I know that I would end up as both.

The fear that comes with putting everything on the line to follow a dream can be debilitating. However, sometimes the desire to follow it is just too strong to ignore. So here I am, eight years on, and still clinging to the convictions that started me on this pathway – to drive change in mathematics education, and to encourage a system that supports and nurtures the strengths and uniqueness of every child regardless of race, gender, demographic, or physical, emotional, or spiritual preferences.

I made many discoveries along the way, but the best one was this: There is a little scientist in all of us, one who is compelled to ask questions, be curious, seek synergy, and find beauty. We don’t often connect these things to the learning of mathematics, but we should. I began my life wanting to be one of two things, an artist or a scientist, and little did I know that I would end up as both.

Published on October 2, 2024.

Posted by HMS in Stories
10
Jul
2024
Liliana Esquivel

Liliana Esquivel

Born in Toledo, Norte de Santander, Colombia • Birth year 1991 • Studied Mathematics at the University of Pamplona in Colombia • Highest Degree PhD in Mathematics • Lives in Cali, Colombia • Occupation non-tenure track Associate Professor at the University of Valle, Colombia

I never really thought I would become a mathematician. Although I enjoyed solving maths problems in my early years of high school, my first love was dance. I wanted to become a dancer. I finished high school when I was 14 years old. At that moment, while deciding what to study in college, a scholarship opportunity for Mathematics came up, and I thought, ‘Why not?’. That ‘why not’ has turned into a career of almost 18 years.

My passion for mathematics truly awakened with mathematical analysis. For me, the concept of approximation is one of the most refined in mathematics. Currently, I am continuing on the path that my undergraduate and graduate advisors helped shape for me. Staying on this professional path is thanks to them and the spark they ignited in me, which makes me want to keep learning every day, as learning is one of the things I enjoy the most.

Although I may have never told her, [my PhD advisor] has always been my role model in this field. My aspiration is to be a source of inspiration and guidance for my students, just as she was for me.

This career has given me the chance to visit unimaginable places, immerse myself in diverse cultures, and have unforgettable experiences. I’ve pushed myself beyond my comfort zone, tackling challenges I once believed were insurmountable, and somehow, I have succeeded each time. Along this journey, I have met incredible, inspiring, and talented individuals who have contributed to my growth both professionally and personally. Resilience and tenacity are two qualities that develop over time in this job.

I was fortunate to have an exceptional PhD advisor—an intelligent, inspiring, strong, and determined woman. Although I may have never told her, she has always been my role model in this field. My aspiration is to be a source of inspiration and guidance for my students, just as she was for me.

Being a mom has put me in the same boat as many others, trying to stay on top of my maths game while being fully present for my kids.

In recent years, my academic perspective has evolved. I wish to remain active in research, but more than teaching, I want to share my passion. My passion is mathematics—its structure, its theorems, and ultimately, its beauty. I believe that by sharing this passion, I can inspire others to appreciate the elegance and depth of mathematics. I aim to create an engaging and stimulating learning environment where students can explore, question, and develop a profound understanding of mathematical concepts. My goal is to ignite their curiosity and foster a lifelong love for the subject, just as my mentors did for me.

One of the most challenging aspects throughout these years has been balancing my professional and personal life. Being a mom has put me in the same boat as many others, trying to stay on top of my maths game while being fully present for my kids. However, being a mother to a child with special needs has illuminated for me the profound societal needs. Specifically, it’s shown me how we need a kinder, more inclusive academic world, one that’s less about labels and more about understanding and support.

Published on July 10, 2024.

Posted by HMS in Stories
26
Jun
2024
Jyoti U. Devkota

Jyoti U. Devkota

Born in Nepal • Studied Mathematical Statistics at Lady Shri Ram College, New Delhi, India • Highest Degree PhD in Mathematical Statistics at the University of Osnabrück, Germany • Lives in Kathmandu, Nepal • Occupation Professor of Statistics and Mathematics

I had a great interest in mathematics right from my childhood. The beauty of mathematical problems and its solutions always captivated me. The logical approach followed towards solving a mathematical problem, the exactness and preciseness of its solutions, was always a source of great fascination. As a school student, I was always in the quest of a solution to the mathematical problems given by my mathematics teacher, in the classroom. During my student life in school and college, I was always ready to tackle that mathematical problem for a solution. 

While growing up, my mathematics teachers in my school and my college were my role models. But I didn’t always have a good mathematics teacher in the school. Some teachers, although quite knowledgeable, could not explain mathematics in a simple language. In the pre-Internet and Communication Technology (ICT) era, those were the times of great struggle, as a student. Access to good quality study materials in mathematics was limited to teachers, in those times. Despite having very limited good quality educational resources in mathematics, I have tried to persevere as a student, professional and a researcher. Mathematics has always been a labor of love for me.

Despite having very limited good quality educational resources in mathematics, I have tried to persevere as a student, professional and a researcher. Mathematics has always been a labor of love for me.

After studying Mathematical Statistics in India and completing my PhD in Germany, I returned to Nepal, where I have worked now in the Department of Mathematics at Kathmandu University for more than 25 years.  In this university, I have delivered lectures on several courses of Statistics and Mathematics at the undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate levels. My main objective has been to popularize these courses among my students. To achieve this, I have always tried to simplify formulas and make them engaging for the students. I have also offered crash courses in advanced levels of Statistics and Data Analysis to interested students and researchers. I have also focused on the interdisciplinary applications of the subject. I have taught students from many disciplines including medicine, engineering, environmental sciences and social sciences. My main aim has always been to promote data-based interdisciplinary studies. This was done by making mathematics interesting and popular among my students.

My main aim has always been to promote data-based interdisciplinary studies. This was done by making mathematics interesting and popular among my students.

I faced some challenges while starting my career as a professional like all my male counterparts. This was due to the switch over from student life to the life of a professional. I experienced at that time that the atmosphere in the classroom as a student was completely different from the atmosphere in the university as a lecturer. In due course of time, I married and had two children. In the initial years of my marriage and motherhood, balancing my married life and my motherhood with my professional life was the source of a great challenge. At that time, due to a Gender Gap in the professional fields of Nepal, I had to figure out how to balance my life. There were no female peers in this field, who could guide me through this part of my life journey. At that time, female professionals were much less in number than male counterparts. My family supported me during this time. I left my daughter with my parents, during my PhD study. 

In the initial years of my marriage and motherhood, balancing my married life and my motherhood with my professional life was the source of a great challenge. [..] There were no female peers in this field, who could guide me through this part of my life journey.

I have to state that there is a Gender Gap in STEM education. STEM subjects seem to be less popular among girls. I feel that girls can break the glass ceiling through their hard work and perseverance in Mathematics and its allied subjects. A sound training in mathematics and its allied subjects prepares them to look at a problem from a different perspective. Girls with enhanced skills in mathematical problem solving are more evidence based and thorough. Mathematics is said to be the language of nature. Thus, these skills have immense scope of interdisciplinary applications. 

With Internet and communication technology, girls of Nepal can be as good as their counterparts in the developed country. By using this technology, girls of Nepal can enhance their skills of problem solving, using mathematics. They should be encouraged to participate in Mathematical events, as this will expose them to the importance of mathematics and the role of ICT in enhancing their skills in mathematics.

Published on June 26, 2024.

Posted by HMS in Stories
14
Feb
2024
Marta Pittavino

Marta Pittavino

Born in Cuneo, Italy • Birth year 1987 • Studied Mathematics at the University of Turin, Italy • Highest Degree PhD in Biostatistics from the University of Zurich, Switzerland • Lives in Venice, Italy • Occupation Assistant Professor with Tenure-Track in Statistics at the University Ca’ Foscari Venice

I have always been passionate about exploring the world of numbers and graphs, finding their intricate patterns and relationships fascinating.

Thanks to my scientific high school education at “Liceo Scientifico Giuseppe Peano”, I was exposed to all the historical and classical branches of mathematics, including Algebra, Geometry, Analysis, and more, with a high degree of knowledge and depth. I was taught important methods for solving equations and performed well in these subjects.

Mathematics was like a game to me: MatheMagics, a sort of puzzle where connecting different pieces represented solving equations, revealing the solutions behind them and the underlying functions.

My Master’s thesis involved developing an epidemiological model to represent a disease in goats.

I pursued Mathematics for both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. My Master’s thesis involved developing an epidemiological model to represent a disease in goats. It was particularly brilliant, receiving two academic recognitions: the Best Master Thesis in Mathematics of the current Academic Year and the Caligara Prize, awarded to Interdisciplinary Master Works with an applied focus. These two awards gave me the ‘wings’ to fly toward the beginning of my academic path.

Therefore, I moved to Switzerland to pursue a Ph.D. in Applied Statistics at the University of Zurich, focusing on the study of Additive Bayesian Networks (ABN) for System Epidemiology. ABN is an innovative methodology that deals with multivariate data, analysing the interconnected and hidden relationships between variables. This marked my first step in transitioning from applied mathematics to statistics.

Mathematics and Statistics are two sides of the same coin, each indispensable and valuable.

Mathematics and Statistics are two sides of the same coin, each indispensable and valuable. On one side, there is the rigour and elegance of formulas, accompanied by foundational knowledge and methodology. On the other side, there is evolution through the modernity of digitalization and concrete applications. Statistics, particularly when applied, is a subject primarily developed using statistical software for data analysis. Additionally, data visualisation is a crucial initial step in comprehending the context. When conducted directly with a tool, it is the outcome of digitalization.

I have always compared my PhD journey to a hike. The peak of the mountain represents the completion of the thesis, or equivalently, the submission and even better, the publication of a scientific paper. I often had the impression that reaching the highest point of the mountain was not possible. This feeling was often demotivating. Overcoming this required strength, determination, and a bit of ambition to finish the task and not give up on the goal. However, the immense satisfaction of completing the PhD ultimately rewarded all the previous effort.

I continued this journey with a PostDoc in Applied Statistics for Nutritional Epidemiology at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a part of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Lyon, France. The project focused on studying the relationship between two types of cancer and B-Vitamins intake, involving the development of a Bayesian hierarchical model that accounts for the complexity of the data, including measurement error, disease models, and their intake distribution.

As I began sharing my knowledge, passion, and experiences with them, the joy and gratitude reached their zenith when I observed the students understanding new topics and expressing profound appreciation.

Postdoctoral positions are particularly delicate as they involve a transitional phase in one’s career. At the conclusion of the contract, there may not be a conferred title or a guaranteed position. Therefore, the qualities of strength, determination, and ambition mentioned earlier become even more critical. These attributes are essential for persisting with the research project and not succumbing to challenges, thereby maintaining the original objectives.

After spending a couple of years in France amidst the challenges of academic life, I returned to Switzerland and took on the role of a Scientific Collaborator. This position swiftly evolved into a Senior Lecturer role. Over the course of 6 years, I was affiliated with the University of Geneva, where I taught various courses in Statistics and Mathematics at both the Bachelor and Master levels, delivering lectures in both English and French. Additionally, I served as the Scientific Coordinator of the Master program in Business Analytics. 

The first time I embarked on teaching, I felt utterly lost during the preparation phase, a mix of thrill, excitement, and emotion engulfing me afterward. The moment before entering the classroom consistently brought a sense of forgetting my own knowledge, a feeling that dissipated upon seeing the students in front of me. As I began sharing my knowledge, passion, and experiences with them, the joy and gratitude reached their zenith when I observed the students understanding new topics and expressing profound appreciation. These moments stand out as the happiest and most rewarding aspects of my day, constituting a meaningful part of my teaching career.

In this current position, my focus has been on investigating statistical techniques and analyses for demographic studies, particularly on the ageing of the European and Italian population.

During the period in Geneva, my research interests transitioned from biostatistics to philanthropy, exploring specific statistical methodologies highly relevant to that discipline. My shift in research interests expanded further during my role as an Assistant Professor at the University of Florence, a position I held for 10 months just before transitioning to my current role as Assistant Professor with Tenure-Track at the University Ca’ Foscari Venice. In this current position, my focus has been on investigating statistical techniques and analyses for demographic studies, particularly on the ageing of the European and Italian population.

From epidemiology to philanthropy and demography, these are just a few examples of the myriad applications of mathematical and statistical methods. As Galileo Galilei once aptly stated, ‘The Book of Nature is written in the language of Mathematics‘. This encapsulates the secret and magic of this wonderful discipline.

Published on February 14, 2024.

Posted by HMS in Stories
26
Apr
2023
Divyanshi Mehrotra

Divyanshi Mehrotra

Born in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, India • Birth year 1994 • Studied Mathematics at the University of Lucknow, India • Highest degree Master in Mathematics • Lives in Lucknow, India • Occupation Content Developer of Creative Mathematics at UnMath School pvt. Ltd

When I failed one of my Math exams in 9th Grade, my mother got worried and searched for a home tutor for me. He was around 70 years old, passionate about Math and was hardly concerned about my syllabus. I still remember that he wrote in my notebook the heading “Sridharacharya Formula” – also known as quadratic formula and started deriving it and explaining the concept to me. When I tried mentioning to him that this was not part of my syllabus he told me, ‘If you want to explore Math, you have to forget about your syllabus and enjoy mathematics beyond textbooks.’ Those words deeply touched me.

‘If you want to explore Math, you have to forget about your syllabus and enjoy mathematics beyond textbooks.’

I started cultivating a voracious interest in Mathematics and subsequently it became the central focus of my studies as I scored exceptionally good marks in all the exams. Not satiated by the theories taught in school, I can vividly recollect all the reminiscences where I had the keen urge to delve into the subject. I managed to top the entire district in 10th Grade, with distinction in 5 subjects. I decided thence forth to pursue the subject in higher grade and I started a Bachelor of Sciences in Math at one of the most proficient universities of my native region in India.

I graduated from university with excellent marks and better proficiency than before which also served as an impetus for my further undertaking of a post-graduate program in Mathematics. As Mathematics is more of a practical subject, I paid much attention on the improvement of my mental ability through practice of quantitative reasoning and data interpretation and Experiential learning. I even earned a Baccalaureate in physical education in my bachelor course.

After completing my post-graduate studies in Mathematics, I decided to pursue my double masters in Actuarial Science. With hard work and luck by my side, I got accepted at the University college Dublin in Ireland.

This inspired me to explore ways to bridge this gap and make math more engaging and accessible for the students aged 4-14 years through the use of gamification and hands-on activities.

During my teaching career, I was surprised by the gap between the students’ enthusiasm for games and for hands-on activities and by their lack of interest in math. This inspired me to explore ways to bridge this gap and make math more engaging and accessible for the students aged 4-14 years through the use of gamification and hands-on activities. I dropped the plan of going abroad to pursue my double masters and I choose to educate young minds and have an impact on the educational system in my country.

In order for the students and the teachers to become interested in math, it is important to engage them in a manner that makes them part of the learning process.

In the year 2020, I joined a private organization as a Creative content developer of Mathematics where I create creative lesson plans with resources such as UNO and Lego to transmit mathematical concepts. Ancient India was very rich in STEM, however, in modern day India, it is difficult for the parents to appreciate the importance of these subjects and hence the students are not opting for science and more so for mathematics. In order for the students and the teachers to become interested in math, it is important to engage them in a manner that makes them part of the learning process. In this regard, I started working on pedagogy on how to make Math fun and interesting for the students. As of now my work has had an impact on the syllabus and methods taught in classes for almost 10000 students and 1000 teachers across the Middle East and Asia. The work of my colleagues and me has now revolutionized the way math is taught in these schools, changing from the conventional chalk and talk way of teaching to a more unconventional way of teaching math through hands-on activities. Referring to the feedback we received, the students are taking keen interest in mathematics. I started from the small town Sitapur where I topped the district in 10th grade and today I am supporting teachers and students across the globe.

With luck on my side and with the passion for Math, I even participated in the online competition last year on the occasion of International Mathematics Day, planned by IDM (International Day of Mathematics) with the challenge to click a picture with the theme Mathematics for everyone. Out of 3200 photographs received from 90 countries, roughly 600 photographs were selected out of which 66 were from India with one of my clicked picture as well. 

I believe that lending a hand to children through effective and gentle communication and listening patiently to their concerns and thoughts assures them. This provides them with emotional and mental security which is essential during childhood as it is the basis on which their conduct depends in the future. Hence, I have now decided to pursue a Ph.D. in Creative Mathematics to contribute to the ongoing research in math education and pedagogy. My vision is to become a leading researcher in the field of math education, with a focus on the use of gamification and hands-on activities as a means of enhancing math learning and engagement along with making Math fun and engaging not only for the students but also for the teachers.

Published on April 26, 2023.

Posted by HMS in Stories
29
Mar
2023
Fulya Kula

Fulya Kula

Born in Turkey • Studied Mathematics at Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey • Highest degree PhD in Mathematics Didactics • Lives in Enschede, The Netherlands • Occupation Lecturer at the University of Twente

I actually did not really like mathematics in primary school. I found it difficult to memorize all multiplication tables for example, as I did not really understand the concept behind them. However, during high school, I had a great teacher, who could explain really well. She introduced us to theorems and proofs, and I found this challenging and rewarding.

What prior knowledge is necessary to fully understand the concept of the derivative? And what happens when some of that knowledge is missing?

After that, I did my BSc in mathematics, but I was also very intrigued by the way my professors were teaching, maybe because of my experience in primary school. All were very talented mathematicians, but some of them were not explaining very well, while others were. This motivated me to do my undergraduate and PhD level in the didactics of mathematics. In my PhD for example, I focused on the concept of the derivative. What prior knowledge is necessary to fully understand the concept of the derivative? And what happens when some of that knowledge is missing?

I am now still working in the field of mathematics and statistics didactics. I investigate how we can improve the teaching and learning of mathematical and statistical concepts. This combines my pedagogical skills and scholarly knowledge. I try to gain a better understanding into how people learn, and how this knowledge can improve teaching.

I find this project particularly exciting because it can make a real difference in students’ academic lives, as I often see them struggling in the first year during my teaching.

I am currently working to make the transition from high school math to college-level math easier for students. This means that students should have a better understanding of several mathematical concepts and skills when they are at university. To achieve this, I investigate best practices in curriculum development. I will also create videos and practice material on topics that many students are struggling with. I find this project particularly exciting because it can make a real difference in students’ academic lives, as I often see them struggling in the first year during my teaching.

During my research, I focus on how we can teach mathematics in such a way that students can understand it more easily. I had very interesting results on teaching statistical inference for example. In statistics, you often make probabilistic statements about an entire population while you only investigate at a small sample of it. This concept is often very difficult to grasp for students. Usually, during a course students are first told about the sample (for example the sample mean), and are then told what this sample statistic tells about the entire population. My research shows that it is actually better to start discussing the population first, and how you create a sample from this entire population. After that, you can teach what this then tells you about the entire population that we started with.

I would really like to investigate the most common statistics textbooks to compare their way of explaining to my proposed model. Doing so will help me to slowly but surely change the way statistics is taught.

My research endorsed that this second way of teaching makes students grasp statistical inference more easily. I would really like to investigate the most common statistics textbooks to compare their way of explaining to my proposed model. Doing so will help me to slowly but surely change the way statistics is taught.

My goal is to make sure that research in the didactics of mathematics is actually applied in mathematical teaching. Despite the fact that there is plenty of research that could be useful, the connection between research and practical teaching is weak. I would love to create a course on didactics for mathematics teachers at universities as well. I feel that most people at the university really like their teaching, and are also interested in my didactical research, but it is difficult and time-consuming for them to get a good overview of the existing knowledge. In such a course, we could go over this together, and discuss how we can implement it in practice. In this way, mathematics education research can really make an impact on the way mathematics is taught.

I really enjoy teaching and find it very motivating. My favorite moments are when a student has an “A-Ha” moment and gains a better understanding of a concept. This is also very rewarding for myself, as I managed to make an impact on the student by teaching them a topic that they did not fully understand. It also shows you the beauty of mathematics: if a student understands all single, small concepts, they can understand a much bigger problem.

Published on March 29, 2023.

Posted by HMS in Stories
15
Feb
2023
Susan Whitehouse

Susan Whitehouse

Born in London, UK • Birth year 1971 · Studied Maths at University of Warwick in UK • Highest Degree MSc in Maths from Open University • Lives in Potters Bar, UK • Occupation Maths Education Consultant specialising in A-level Maths and Further Maths

I have loved maths since I was a very young child, and from as early as I can remember I always knew that it was the subject that I would pursue. Maths was my refuge from a world that often seemed confusing and difficult; within mathematics I knew that everything would make sense and obey the rules, even if I had not yet understood it!

(…) I struggled to adjust to studying maths at university. It felt very different, both in content and in teaching style, from the maths I had studied at school.

Despite never having had any doubts about my choice of degree, I struggled to adjust to studying maths at university. It felt very different, both in content and in teaching style, from the maths I had studied at school. Women were under-represented at undergraduate level, and even more so at postgraduate level and among the academic staff, and I did not immediately feel I had a place in this new environment. But, despite my doubts, I continued with my course and successfully completed my studies.

After my maths degree I was not sure what path to take, and I did a teacher training year mainly to buy myself some time. But, although I did not enjoy teaching the younger students much, I found that I loved teaching A-level maths and further maths. This was the stage of maths education that I had most enjoyed as a student, and I wanted to convey that enthusiasm to others. I joined the teaching profession as a specialist sixth form maths teacher.

I (…) found that being in the position of a student again made me a better teacher.

I spent 15 years teaching A-level maths and further maths in London sixth form colleges. I loved watching the “Eureka” moments, when a mathematical idea would fall into place for a student, and it was a great privilege to be able to help students access university, particularly when they were the first in their family to do so. I developed clear ideas about mathematical pedagogy and what I believe good maths teaching should look like.

During my second and third years of full-time teaching, I also completed a part-time Master’s degree in mathematics with the Open University. Although I was finding teaching mathematics very fulfilling, I missed the challenge of learning new mathematics for myself. Partly because of the way the course was structured and partly because of my own greater maturity, I enjoyed this course more than my undergraduate degree. I also found that being in the position of a student again made me a better teacher.

I feel incredibly lucky to have a career working in the subject that I love, and to have had the opportunity to convey that passion to others.

Whilst teaching, I designed a lot of resources to help me in my own teaching, and when I shared these more widely in the teaching community, they proved popular with other teachers too. I was also invited to deliver some professional development for other maths teachers. I realised that I could contribute to the mathematical development of more students by working with their teachers than I could ever do through my own classroom teaching.

I started to do less work with students and more with teachers, and eventually I left the classroom altogether to become a mathematics education consultant. I continue to design teaching resources for A-level maths and further maths lessons, and I have delivered professional development on a wide range of teaching courses, ranging from initial teacher training to courses for experienced teachers.

I feel incredibly lucky to have a career working in the subject that I love, and to have had the opportunity to convey that passion to others.

Published on February 15, 2023.

Posted by HMS in Stories
19
Oct
2022
Bernadette Spieler

Bernadette Spieler

Born in Deutschlandsberg, Austria • Birth year 1988 • Studied Information Management and eHealth at Graz University of Applied Science in Graz, Austria • Highest Degree PhD in Engineering Sciences from Graz University of Technology in Graz, Austria • Lives in Zurich, Switzerland • Occupation Professor in Computing Skills in Education, Zurich University of Teacher Education, Switzerland

Since February 2021, I have been at the Zurich University of Teacher Education (PHZH, Switzerland) as a professor for “Computing Skills in Education”. This professorship is located at two centres: the Centre for “Media Education and Informatics” and the Centre for “Education and Digital Transformation.” Previously, I was the Head of the Department of Informatics Didactics and a visiting professor (W2) at the Institute for Mathematics and Applied Informatics at the University of Hildesheim (Germany). I received my PhD in 2018 from the Institute of Software Technology at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz, Austria). At TU Graz, I worked first as a project assistant in the H2020 project “No One Left Behind“, and later as a postdoctoral researcher. I completed my dissertation on the topic “Development and Evaluation of Concepts and Tools to Reinforce Gender Equality by Engaging Female Teenagers in Coding”. For my thesis, I focused on the conception of a framework for a more gender equal classroom setting for inclusive computer science activities. This so-called “Playing, Engagement, Creativity, Creating” (PECC) framework suggests inclusive activities during different stages, considers the gender dimension in different intrinsic and extrinsic motivators, and shows how all students can benefit equally from them. It puts an emphasis on how to foster intrinsic motivators like pupils’ sense of belonging to computing fields, to generate interest for this area, to improve pupils’ self-efficiency towards computing, and finally, to bring fun elements to the classroom. Second, I developed different apps to engage girls in game design, e.g., “Luna&Cat” and Embroidery Designer.

(…) The focus in education is changing; it is less about imparting knowledge and more about enabling competence acquisition that is independent, reflective, and cooperative.

With its multitude of facets, computer science (CS) offers many exciting topics for children and young people. Girls in particular often do not have the opportunity to take an interest in such topics, or are quickly depreciated as a target group. For future generations, it is crucial not merely to use these technologies, but to understand and apply them. At the same time, the focus in education is changing; it is less about imparting knowledge and more about enabling competence acquisition that is independent, reflective, and cooperative. Education in a culture of digitality ensures the participation of all learners with their different prerequisites and equal opportunities. This requires the promotion of digital competences in a level-appropriate delivery (from school to teacher education to vocational training).

At the PHZH, I have the opportunity to reach teachers as multipliers in training and education. Various concepts such as game design, Maker-Education, or playful CS with quizzes and analogue activities enhance both inspiration and motivation. Furthermore, it is essential to dispel misconceptions that computer science is “not creative” or “too difficult”. Playing and creating games on smartphones are both popular activities for the new generation of digital natives, and therefore are a perfect match for the development of creativity, problem solving, logical thinking, system design, and collaboration skills. Particularly in my current project “Making at School“, we show exciting possibilities for interdisciplinary project work in various Maker activities. Making as a method for free experimentation, exploration, or (digital) tinkering enables new learning formats for education. Thus, Making facilitates open learning spaces with problem-solving tasks, interdisciplinary connections, and transversal competencies. For instance, technical understanding, creativity, craft skills, or concepts of sustainability and entrepreneurship are promoted.

In order to significantly influence future developments in CS didactics, I am involved in various expert groups. For example, as a product owner in the Catrobat Association, I am responsible for the development of apps to support children and young people in learning programming, as a member of the Swiss steering committee of the Informatics Beaver team, we create informatics riddles for the annual Bebras competition, as a member of the steering committee of digital switzerland (education and skilled workforce), we support the next generation of STEM students, and finally, I am a member of the working group for the curriculum development for informatics at the high school/secondary level.

The number of women in [computer science] is still very low, but there are promising ways to encourage and support more women to be deeply interested in [computer science] (…).

In my research, I address the aforementioned issues of equal opportunities in education, and highlight the importance of CS didactics within the context of education. Thereby my aim in this is to ensure greater diversity in technology. In my research, it is particularly important to empirically verify a positive effect on pupils. The extracurricular level should not be underestimated either. Since I have been offering courses specifically for girls in game design and programming for years, it was always a great wish to establish our own programming club in Zurich. With the help of the Manava-Foundation, we were able to realise our idea in March 2022 and proceeded to found the CoetryLab. From Summer 2022, we offer informatics and media courses for children and young people aged 10-20. This is intended to effectively support children in these subjects precisely where their needs are greatest.

By researching new concepts and standards in the field of gender-sensitive CS education and training, I hope to seek out and implement improvements in CS curricula, different CS-topics and to support girls and female adolescents in particular to gain CS skills. The number of women in CS is still very low, but there are promising ways to encourage and support more women to be deeply interested in CS and I am confident that gender-conscious pedagogy, especially in areas of CS education, is particularly useful and necessary!

Published on October 19, 2022.

Posted by HMS in Stories
08
Jun
2022
Susan Okereke

Susan Okereke

Born in Liverpool, UK • Studied Mathematics and Business Studies at the University of Edinburgh, UK • Highest Degree Master’s in Teaching (MTeach) from the UCL Institute of Education, UK • Lives in London, UK • Occupation maths teacher, maths communicator and education consultant

I love teaching maths! I am a maths communicator and teacher and I passionately believe that numeracy is an essential basic skill that everyone should have – like reading and writing – and every student should leave school competent and confident in it. Sadly, I am aware this is not the case for many students in the UK and I am trying to use my expertise and experience to help improve this situation.

I began to understand the importance maths education plays in society and realised that maths teachers have a crucial role in making the world a fairer place

As a teacher, I have a keen interest in teaching and learning. I believe that teachers should be model learners, so a few years ago, I decided to do a Master’s in Teaching (MTeach) at the UCL Institute of Education. The Master’s looked at what is needed for ‘effective’ learning to take place, exploring the complex relationship between learner, teacher and their environment. It opened my eyes to how education can transform people’s lives, especially maths education. I began to understand the importance maths education plays in society and realised that maths teachers have a crucial role in making the world a fairer place, with recent data by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) showing a direct relationship between wage distribution and numeracy skills.

My Master’s dissertation analysed the effectiveness of a targeted maths intervention on students’ attainment and reflected on the challenges secondary schools face when implementing interventions. Working on my dissertation clarified the fact that I want to use my expertise to bridge the gap between primary, secondary and further education maths learning, supporting all students to feel confident in maths, especially our most disadvantaged students. I believe the key to bridging this gap is to ensure all students have solid basic maths skills and a positive attitude to maths and this starts with good maths teaching.

Completing my Master’s ignited my interest in finding ways to present maths that are accessible and engaging for everyone, especially people who find it challenging. My work as a maths communicator is an extension of this mission.

Maths has a reputation for being boring, difficult and irrelevant to people’s lives and many people are intimidated by the subject because they believe ‘you are either right or wrong’ and that is all that matters. I’m on a mission to challenge this common misconception. Maths is so much more than the final correct answer, it is about seeing patterns, making connections and solving problems, which is an emotional and collaborative process and can be a lot of fun.

Completing my Master’s ignited my interest in finding ways to present maths that are accessible and engaging for everyone, especially people who find it challenging. My work as a maths communicator is an extension of this mission. Over the years I have been involved in a variety of amazing maths events and projects for students, teachers and the general public. Events that strive to bring maths to life for audiences by highlighting the weird and wonderful places maths can be found, which I share on my blog www.DoTheMathsThing.com. Also, the podcast Maths Appeal I co-host with TV personality and fellow maths teacher, Bobby Seagull, presents maths in an accessible way by including maths puzzles and interviews with maths champions from the worlds of tech, entertainment, comedy and education.

Engaging in this range of maths-based endeavours has made me realise I am on a lifelong learning journey with maths education and I hope to take my students, listeners and readers with me as I try to show that maths is everywhere and for everyone.

Published on June 8, 2022.

Posted by HMS in Stories
22
Dec
2021
Dr Ems Lord

Dr Ems Lord

Born in El Adem, Libya • Studied Pure Mathematics at University of Lancaster, UK • Highest Degree PhD in Mathematics Education, University of Cambridge, UK • Lives in Lincolnshire, UK • Occupation Director of NRICH, University of Cambridge

My journey is a story of twists and turns. There never was a grand plan, just a love of maths to help steer the way.

I wasn’t the healthiest of children, I missed more school days than I ever managed to attend. It would have been easy to fall behind in my studies, but my headteacher had different ideas. Textbooks appeared in my home and my mum was roped in as my teacher. Perhaps rather frustratingly for her at times, my curiosity was never satisfied; I always wanted to try different ways of doing things. I loved playing games, but also inventing new maths games too! I’d even collect the numbered cardboard doors off my advent calendar to use in them in my latest creation.  Numbers had a special place in my life from a very early age.

Having decided that maths was the subject I wanted to study at university, the transition from school to university maths was not as straightforward as I hoped; coming from an all-girls school, it was a shock to find myself on a course dominated by boys. I’d never really associated maths as a ‘boys thing’ until that point. Maths had always been something I just enjoyed doing, but perhaps not everyone enjoyed the same opportunities as I had growing up.

Wednesday afternoons at University  were spent on the sports field or at a local teaching college. Although I love sport, my curiosity meant that I eventually tagged along with the teaching group one day – and never turned back! Our tutor challenged everyone to subtract two numbers and record our method – not exactly a tough challenge for soon-to-be maths graduates but I soon discovered that I was the only person in the room to use my chosen approach, and there were two or three other methods in general use around the room. When we were asked to explain our approaches, there was a discussion about ‘milk bottles on doorsteps’ which totally confused me. What did milk bottles have to do with subtraction?  Turns out that the ‘milk bottles’ were place value jottings. No wonder so many people complain that they find maths confusing!

[…] through the college session I realised that my ongoing love for investigating different approaches could be usefully applied to teaching. If someone was struggling or could not understand an approach, I could perhaps suggest another way which might work for them and explain it too.

At the time of that college visit, I was focusing on my thesis exploring the different ways mathematicians had proved the Pythagoras Theorem, and through the college session I realised that my ongoing love for investigating different approaches could be usefully applied to teaching. If someone was struggling or could not understand an approach, I could perhaps suggest another way which might work for them and explain it too (without referring to milk bottles). And, as a female mathematician, perhaps I could be a role model too. Suddenly all the pieces fell into place and I applied for teacher training.

[…] I quickly discovered that hardly any primary schools had a maths graduate on their staff and creativity was often being stifled by a lack of confidence and subject knowledge.

As a maths graduate, I opted for a secondary teacher programme which came with a generous grant for signing-up to teach a shortage subject. Tutors required trainees to spend their first fortnight in a primary school, I quickly discovered that hardly any primary schools had a maths graduate on their staff and creativity was often being stifled by a lack of confidence and subject knowledge. Even though it meant losing my ‘welcome’ grant, I switched to a primary course and I’ve never looked back. Primary teachers are incredibly hard-working individuals who need to cover a wide range of subjects and inspire their charges all day, every day. They are amazing people. I soon found myself leading maths in my school and supporting the teaching of maths in other schools nearby by sharing useful resources. At that time, I became an advocate for the types of maths resources designed by NRICH which challenge and engage young learners.

After joining my local authority’s maths team, I helped to set up schools’ maths competitions and lead parental engagement events – opportunities for families to enjoy problem-solving and rethink commonly-held negative views about maths. By volunteering to lead maths masterclasses introducing some of my favourite undergraduate classes such as topology and networks, I hoped I could also act as a role model for younger female students. Ever curious, I began reading more widely about maths education and signed up for my Masters and later my PhD at Cambridge (where I investigated different approaches to calculation, of course!). Today, my love of maths means that I get to work in one of the world’s finest maths departments at the University of Cambridge, helping to support school teachers to inspire future mathematicians and researching ways to increase diversity in my chosen subject as the Director of NRICH – a project which had inspired my classroom teaching. It’s such a privilege working with the NRICH team, and we’ve got exciting plans for the future. Watch this space!

Published on December 22, 2021.

Posted by HMS in Stories