For Teachers

 

Teacher and students playing a multiplication game.

Photo credit: Dawn Graves

Math Fair/Unfair

The Math Fair & Unfair is a popular biannual event for elementary and junior high school students held at the main University of Alberta campus. The Math Fair component of the event is hosted by Elementary Education students (teachers-in-training) taking our MATH 160 course. The MATH 160 students create and prepare dozens of puzzles and games, and engage with the children during their visit to stimulate problem solving and logical reasoning. The Math Unfair component of the event is hosted by graduate students from the Department of Mathematical Sciences. The graduate students invite the children to try a variety of two-player games and encourage them to develop strategies for playing wisely. The Math Fair & Unfair event takes place in March and November each year. The Math Fair component of the event is based on the SNAP Math Fair philosophy, described below.

 If you are a school teacher who would like to bring a group of students to the Math Fair & Unfair, please contact Sean Graves at sgraves@ualberta.ca.


Ted Lewis SNAP Math Fair Workshop (April 28 - 30, 2023 in Banff, Alberta)

The Ted Lewis SNAP Math Fair Workshop is intended mainly for teachers, but educators of all types are welcome. In previous workshops, participants have come from elementary schools, junior-high and high schools, from independent organizations, and from universities and colleges, and on some occasions have included expert puzzle and game creators.

2018 Ted Lewis SNAP Math Fair Workshop participants in beautiful Banff, Alberta.

Workshop participants learn about and try math-based puzzles and games that can be used in the classroom. Teachers have a chance to see how their colleagues have organized Math Fairs at their schools, and how SNAP Math Fair fits into the curriculum.

If you would like to attend a Ted Lewis SNAP Math Fair Workshop, please contact Sean Graves at sgraves@ualberta.ca. 


SIGMAS in the Schools

The SIGMAS in the Schools program seeks to promote mathematics and show elementary school students that math is fun. Graduate students from the Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences volunteer to visit local schools and conduct short (one hour) math workshops. Activities are interactive  and promote discussion among students.

If your school is interested in a SIGMAS in the Schools workshop, email mathgame@ualberta.ca.