OVERVIEW

UC Irvine Math CEO has been offering free afterschool mathematics enrichment to underprivileged schools in Southern California since 2014. One of the priorities of UCI Math CEO is the creation of engaging and challenging math curriculum for these meetings, designed to enhance understanding and appreciation of mathematics. During the 2019-2020 academic year alone, Math CEO offered a total of 105 math enrichment
sessions (math circles) for middle school and high school students. During the 60-90-minute math circles for middle school students, school children worked in small groups with their peers, under the guidance of caring college mentors. Together, they engaged in (fun but difficult) mathematical investigations that promote discovery and lead to a deep understanding of mathematics. To support students in the exploration of challenging mathematics, we selected tasks that are suitable for the use of manipulatives, encourage collaborative learning and promote verbal communication not only between the mentor and the students, but also among the students themselves.

ACTIVITIES

Each hour-long sessions for high school students began with a short presentation by math faculty or graduate students on a curious “question of the day” – a fun open-ended problem whose answer may not be known – followed by guided group discussions where high school students work together to brainstorm and investigate the problem. Instead of finding answers to a typical procedural school-type math task, the emphasis was on asking the right questions, reasoning, and identifying which data or mathematical evidence may be useful to solve a real-life problem (e.g., “Should my family lease or buy a car?” or “How many Doritos bags are needed to fill out the interior of the earth?”). Each weekly meeting concluded with 15 minutes of rigorous SAT preparation done in a relaxed setting (through Kahoot!) to offer students a more equitable chance to apply for college.

We are proud to share our curriculum resources with educators, parents and students.