Four Years of Community Mathematics Nights: 53 Sessions and more that 5,800 attendees

In early February 2009, GBMP held Community Mathematics Nights (CMNs) for the public at three 3 local schools in three different area communities: Pleasant Grove Elementary (Pleasant Grove), Forest Hills Middle (Fairfield), and Bumpus Middle (Hoover).  In total, 435 people attended the 3 sessions.  The Greater Birmingham Mathematics Partnership has now presented 53 of these Community Mathematics Nights since it started offering them in January 2005.  Total attendance at our Community Mathematics Nights has now reached over 5,800. Over 1,700 parents and other attendees have been surveyed and 9 in 10 have rated the Community Mathematics Nights as either Informative or Extremely Informative.  When they were asked about the most surprising thing they learned or insight they had from the CMN, respondents from recent sessions said:

• "Math is about relationships."

• "Traditional US methods (of teaching mathematics) are inefficient and counterintuitive."

• I was surprised at "how I really enjoyed this program."

• "Young children can learn probability."

• "How easy it (mathematics) is."

• "I learned math the old way and thought it was fine.  I had no idea the data showed that it was not the best way."

• "Kids know more math than their parents."

• "Math education has greatly improved since we were in school."

• "When I was in school, math was dull.  There is no good reason to make such a vital subject so very, very boring."

• "Persistence is more important than speed in doing mathematics."