Between Fall 2014 and Winter 2020, Math CEO hosted weekly mathematics enrichment meetings for middle school students, either at UCI or at the school site. In the process, Math CEO developed an extensive collection of fun and challenging math activities. The curriculum is available for printing; feel free to use these materials for your students. To download an activity, please click on the small plus sign icon.
Images | Activity Set | Topics | Description | Authors | Mode | Internal Notes | Student Version | Teacher Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exploring Graphs | Graphs | Graph theory explorations in various topics, with concrete examples of interesting graphs, and applications involving coloring. Basic level. | Andres Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version (PDF) | |||
| Exploring Fractals | Fractals | Simple, hands-on, fractal explorations. | Andres Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | |||
| Rabbit Math | Varied Number sense, counting, geometry, etc. | Mathematical adventures in the land of rabbits. Several different topics. Can be used, for example, as a summer school activity booklet. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Prob Games | Probability | Games and puzzles of various topics in probability, in which often times students need to make choices based on evidence. | Adrien Peltzer Andres Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | |||
| Frieze Patterns | Geometry Transformations | A frieze pattern is a pattern on a strip (an infinite rectangle) which repeats in one direction. We explore these patterns in detail. | Alessandra Pantano Mariano Franco Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | |||
| Patterns in Tesselania | Geometry Tesselations | We start with a given shape, then moving it and transform it to cover certain region. The transformations are translations, rotations and reflections, which we think of as dance moves! The original shape is the dancer, and through dance moves he seeks to cover all the dance floor. | Mariano Franco Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | |||
| Water | Varied | Go with the flow and the patterns. Several different topics. Can be used as a summer school activity booklet, for example. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| A Trip to Italy (Part 1) | Varied | Join Alessia, Bruno and Marco through a magical tour through Italy. You will visit cities and learn about beautiful cathedrals and monuments, and eat fantastic food. Don’t miss this trip! Several topics. Can be used as a summer school activity booklet, for example. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Teacher Version (PDF) | |||
| A Trip to Italy (Part 2) | Varied | Join Alessia, Bruno and Marco through a magical and beautiful tour of the country of Italy. You will visit cities and learn about beautiful cathedrals and monuments, and eat fantastic food. Don’t miss this trip! Several different topics. Can be used as a summer school activity booklet, for example. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Teacher Version (PDF) | |||
| Toys | Counting Fraction sense | Let's learn how to cound different combinations, and let's gain understanding on how fractions work. | Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Teacher Version (PDF) | |||
| A Day At The Fair | Proportionality Fractions Ratios Unit ratios | Let's solve problems that involve making sense of ratios, unit ratios, fractions, percentages, and linear relations. | Mariano Franco Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Teacher Version (PDF) | |||
| Mathloween | Proportionality Fractions Ratios | Mathematical activities related to propotionality, with the theme of Halloween. | Juan Malagón Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Teacher Version (PDF) | |||
| Alchemy | ALGEBRA Equations Tape diagrams | Activities with fantastic situacions in which algebra is introduced in many different visual ways, and used to find unknowns | Juan Malagón Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Teacher Version (PDF) | |||
| Math Cakes | Proportionality Fractions Ratios Pie Charts | Mathematical activities built around the theme of pastries, to practice calculations and concepts on proportionality. | Alessandra Pantano (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | |||
| Mathy Holidays | ALGEBRA Proportionality Percentages | Mathematical activities with the theme of Holidays. | Alessandra Pantano (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Animaths | Proportionality Percentages & Fractions Ratios Geometry Movements in the plane | Mathematical activities with the theme of Animals. | Juan Malagón Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Teacher Version (PDF) | |||
| Cells and Fractal Trees Part 1 | Number Properties Exponential Growth | Math and Biology! | Mónica Romero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Cells and Fractal Trees Part 2 | Number Properties Exponential Growth | Math and Biology! | Mónica Romero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Change in Planet Ara PART 1 | Algebra Variables Linear functions Slope | We explore mathematical concepts of variables, linear functions, slope and total change. Some of these are not formally introduced, but rather implicitly treated during the activities. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Teacher Version (PDF) | |||
| Change in Planet Ara PART 2 | Algebra Variables Linear functions Slope | We explore mathematical concepts of variables, linear functions, slope and total change. Some of these are not formally introduced, but rather implicitly treated during the activities. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Teacher Version (PDF) | |||
| Ages of Storage | Number Properties Powers of 10 Scientific Notation Multiplicative properties | We explore situations concerning storaging lots of information, and use powers of 10 to make sense of the. We discover different properties of multiplication along the way. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | |||
| Ancient Places | Geometry Slopes Number Patterns Addition sequences Multiplication Sequences | We gradually introduce the notion of slopes through the idea of inclination, with several examples and activities. We also explore addition and multiplication patterns, through visual puzzles. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | |||
| Lazy Lasers & other Silly Math Games | Varied | Various Puzzles of different topics such as geometry, counting, fractions, slopes, etc. The activities can be used as a math hunt or team competition. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Teacher Version (PDF) | |||
| Randomness | Probability | We introduce the concept of randomness, experiment using dice and computers, generate sequences and distinguish between random and nonrandom methods. We also understand the limitations of predictions when we deal with randomness. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Date needs confirmation | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Ages of Storage | Algebra Optimization Linear Models Number Properties Powers of 10 Multiplicative Properties | We explore situations concerning storaging lots of information, and use powers of 10 to make sense of the. We discover different properties of multiplication along the way. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | no student pack no date similar to winter 2016 "ages of storage" | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| CardioMath | Algebra Multiplication Graphing Proportions | Students learn how to look at proportions and how to graph them using the theme of BPM and heartbeats. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| The 15 Game and Other Pastimes | Logic Logic Games Algebra Addition | Students learn different games and analyze them, such as tic-tac-toe, the 15 game, and birds and fish. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Box Games | Team building Varied Chemistry Algebra | You will guide your team of kids in a cooperative game with puzzles. As they solve mathematical puzzles they unlock different locks until they open a box with prizes. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Breakout! Authors? | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Statistics: Averages | Statistics Averages | We will treat basic concepts in Statistics: average and range. We will also use graphical representations of data, in particular bar graphs. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Statistics: Part 2 | Statistics Averages | We will build on the previous meeting and study some key properties of averages, including weighted averages, in the context of problem solving. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Staying Healthy | Percentages Ratios Reading Data | We will help kids know some basic concepts on nutrition, to see the importance of exercising, cutting sugar and getting nutrients. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| A Very Suite Day: Hotel Management | Percentages Ratios Fractions Averages | We will treat basic concepts of related to Hotel Management: Kids will themselves be part of the Staff of a Hotel, to run this business in different departments. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | No student pack | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Geometry 1 | Geometry Perimeter Angles Sine and Circles | We will treat basic concepts of geometry: perimeter, parametrizations of perimeters using time, angles, angle conversions, and the notion of sine of an angle as the relative height (vertical position) of a point in a circle. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Geometry 2 | Geometry Angles Sine and Circles | We will treat basic concepts of geometry: angles, angle conversions, and the notion of sine of an angle as the relative height (vertical position) of a point in a circle. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Math Heroes | Team Building Number Properties Number Sense Calculus | The general goal of this meeting is to spark student interaction and communication of mathematical ideas and reasoning | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | no student pack | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | |
| Four Fours + A Natural disaster | Team Building Algebra Order of Operations System of Equations | We will introduce the Math CEO program to the kids, and do four activities to serve as icebreakers and also to show our program expectations. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | No Student Pack This is very simiar (if not the same) to one of the activities (A Helping Hand, Fall 2019) | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Multipl(a)y | Algebra Multiplication | We will develop additive and multiplicative number sense through sequences and also solidify the conceptual properties of the operation of multiplication. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Movie Ratings and Ratios | Algebra Ratio | We will explore and develop what a ratio means both abstractly and in real life context, using different concrete and visual ways to represent them. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Flora Adventure | Algebra Ratio Linear Growth | We will deepen the understanding of multiplicative properties as well as ratio as a tool to explore linear growth. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Drawn from a Score | Varied Patterns Permutations | We will learn about patterns along with an art exhibit called Drawn from a Score that features works which have several connections to mathematics. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Teacher Version (PDF) | |||
| Planning a Vacation | Proportionality Ratios Counting Trees | Students analyze different numerical situations in context involving proportionality, counting and variation, among others. In some situations they need to figure out exact answers, whereas other problems are more open and complex but they still need to provide a mathematical analysis. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | There are no materials AF: there were, just inside the Materials subfolder | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | |
| Energy | Number Propoerties Percentages Costs | Students will explore different concepts related to energy, including the notions of Wattage and kW.h (Kilowatt hour), the difference between power and energy, and how to compute costs when using appliances that produce energy. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Fractal Dance | Geometry Symmetries Fractals | We explore fractal symmetries by using our bodies. We will build to these “fractal dances” by thinking about symmetries more broadly, drawing fractals, and then “dancing” them. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | There are no materials AF: fixed it. | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | |
| Cooperating in Math! | Team Building Geometry Area | Activity 1 is about STEM Careers, Activity 2 will help you know your students and set the learning and behavior expectations during the quarter. Activity 3 has mathematical problems. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | No Student Pack | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Comparing Fractions | Algebra Fractions | We will also explore the notion of fraction and how to compare them, by playing a game of constructing stories about doctors. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | No Student Pack | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Exploring Sets | Sets | We explore simple sets and allow students to get familiar with set writing notation, as well as how to combine sets, discovering the operations of union and intersection. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Moving Machines | Physics Gravity Sets | We explore machines from a mathematical point of view, focusing on ramps, as machines. We also go deeper with the “Heavy Sets” activity from last meeting. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Contigo | Algebra Equations Order of Operations | We explore number sense through an activity called number talks, and we also play a game called Contigo, in which students have to generate expressions from numbers rolled, to score points. | Randie Williams Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | No student pack. Also similar to Winter 2020 Contigo | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Contigo Fractions | Algebra Equations Order of Operations | We return to Contigo game, in which students have to generate expressions from numbers rolled, to score points. We offer two versions: the same version as in last meeting and a Contigo fractions game. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | No student pack | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Exploring Areas | Geometry Area Tangrams | We will explore basic concepts of comparing areas and preservation of areas, through the Tangram, which is a collection of 7 poligonal pieces which have very strong relations between them. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Math Zebra | Logic Word Problems | Students will get to explore the concept of mathematical properties and mathematical descriptions and put them to use in a logic puzzle. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | No student pack | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Size Me Up | Geometry Area Quadrilaterals | We will explore properties of measuring areas (including squares, rectangles, triangles, parallelograms and trapezoids). | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Area Under | Geometry Area Integrals | Students will approach the notion of approximation of certain types of shapes by consecutive rectangles of different heights, which is the basis for talking about the integral. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| What is the Least? | Optimization Geometry Volume Surface Area | We explore the concept of the “minimum” value to guarantee some condition to happen, from many different mathematical angles such as graphs, geometry, data representation and such. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Team Spirit + area Puzzles | Team Building Geometry Areas | Students will find sides and areas of squares, and practice mental math in the process, as well as clarifying the concept of length and area and the relation (in squares). | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Foldings + Marbles | Algebra Equations Geometry Folding | Students will get to explore visual problems that encourage algebraic thinking and will need to fold a sheet of paper in a certain way. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Manual only has Activity 1, not Activity 2. | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | |
| More Marbles + Stick Moves | Algebra Equations Geometry Movements in The Plane | Students will get introduced to picture representations to solve numerical problems without using variables. Then, they are challenged to change a figure into another, by doing a specific number of moves. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| A Helping Hand | Algebra Equations Team Building | Students go through several clues to find the prices of certain items, both in dollars and in a new currency. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Creepy Puzzles | Team Building Varied | Students work on puzzles, but first they practice explaining them to other students, then they first make a simpler version of the problem with the theme of Halloween. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Building Towers | Induction | Students will be introduced to the Hanoi Tower and will learn induction, where we use information at some step to get new information at a more complicated step. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Wolves and Sheep | Geometry Spatial Reasoning Pattern Discovery | Students play the sheep and wolf game, learn the spatial conditions that we will be using, then generalize their findings to any n×n board. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| The Ancient Medicine | Varied Sum Pyramids Algebraic systems | Students will be involved in a team game in which they have limited time to open a box that is locked by solving both mathematical and non-mathematical puzzles and following clues. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | No student manual in drive | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Building Fractals | Geometry Fractals | Students will understand the visual concept of a fractal, both in 2D and in 3D, learn different methods of creating fractals and apply them to build square, triangular and tetrahedral-like fractals. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Team Spirit + Find the Shape | Team Building Geometry Pattern Recognition Pythagorean Theorem | Students will share experiences with other mentors and students, solve visual puzzles and practice their recognition of squares, using different tools (from rulers to the Pythagorean theorem). | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Build the Shape | Algebra Equations Order of Operations Geometry Area | Students will be asked to build certain mathematical objects that satisfy certain conditions (either numerical expressions, or certain geometrical shapes). | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Contigo + Find the Shape (Part 2) | Algebra Order of Operations Geometry Area Pythagorean Theorem | Students will play Contigo, a game of creating numerical expressions, and they also do a follow up activity to “Where’s the Square?” | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Making Sense + Foxer and Snaky | Team Building Geometry Spatial Awareness Slope | Students solve puzzles of various types that involve numerical and spatial reasoning. Several problem solving strategies will be used, such as trial and error, considering simple cases, using tables and pictures. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Find the Relation | Algebra Tables Graphs Diagrams | Students are presented with a general rule and use this rule to get new information and represent old information in new ways. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Rectangle Mix | Algebra Visual Representations Geometry Area | Students are invited to use rectangular figures to make sense of problems and to model different situations. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Coins & Algorithms | Algebra Algorithms | Students will familiarize with the general informal concept of algorithm and come up with algorithms to solve math problems in efficient ways. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| The Missing Sculpture (Breakout) | Varied Riddles Einstein Puzzles | Students will be involved in a team game of Breakout, in which they have limited time to open a Big Box by solving both mathematical and non-mathematical puzzles and following clues. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | No Student Manual BreakoutEDU stated (are they authors?) AF: No, we are authors. Breakout is the "system" | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Hexaflexagons | Geometry Hexaflexagons Graphs | Students will familiarize with an interesting and surprising geometrical object called Hexaflexagon. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) | ||
| Heroes | Algebra Proportions Comparisons | Students become Super heroes and collaborate to solve different challenges while “traveling”, but they need to first work individually. | Alessandra Pantano Andrés Forero (UCI MATH CEO) | In Person | Student Version | Teacher Version (PDF) |
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