College of Education News

Before the class of 38 future math teachers crossed the stage for their diplomas, they first taught more than 180 high schoolers and some parents to survive on a deserted island, program a robot through a maze, and construct a wall to withstand an earthquake.

"We are the natives on the island, so we'll be wearing grass skirts," said University of Illinois senior Katie Colburn of her group's island survival station. "We'll have island music, and we'll have a blow up palm tree to help set the mood," Survivors - a.k.a. the high school students - take the role of doctor, and the challenge emulates a classical math puzzle: the "water jug problem." Colburn adds, "We have scrubs for them to wear."

After a year of planning, designing activity stations, and seeking donations from local businesses, the mathematics students at the College of Education, University of Illinois, put on the fourth annual GeoJam at Central High School on May 14.

The group of future math teachers returned to their College of Education home base after 16 weeks of student teaching throughout Illinois.

To compete in the high-octane activity, high school students teamed up in groups of 5 -8, including one parent, and tackled puzzles at various challenge stations. Last Fall the university students split into groups to conceive the most creative math challenge stations in preparation for the Spring event.

"You can't do anything that looks like school math," said Rochelle Gutiérrez, Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at the College of Education. "We vote on the best six, and those six get to be featured at the event."

But don't be fooled by the resulting skunks or silly string; winning stations must also garner a seal of approval from a group of mathematics professors, to ensure the station imparts an actual mathematical method or theory.

Three years ago Gutiérrez brought the GeoJam idea to Champaign after having researched mathematics education during a Fulbright Fellowship in Mexico. "One of my goals is not just getting our teacher education students to create a sense of identity around mathematics," she said, "but also getting current teachers to see that students can be engaged in mathematics in different ways that you might not expect." Another benefit is the teamwork resulting between high school students and adults, she added.

From dressing up as pirates and particles, to driving remote-control cars and playing Sudoku, students will interact with mathematics, not just read about the Pythagorean Theorem.

"In a day and age where most math activities are focused on preparing for testing, this is a chance for us to show that learning can be made fun," said University of Illinois senior David Reif, adding, "And we plan to have a blast putting on this event."

To top off the competition, winners left with prizes donated from community businesses-- ranging from a 19" HD-TV and personal training sessions at the Refinery Gym to tanning and restaurant gift certificates.

In addition to piquing interest about math in high school students, Gutiérrez said her students develop a sense of accomplishment in managing the massive undertaking - but they're eager to carry on the tradition. "We've had students who've graduated, and they take the GeoJam to their schools."

At the end of the night, the graduating class gathered for a group photo - pirates, islanders, doctors come together for the sake of sharing geometry and algebra's fun side.

It's not just about what you do in the classroom, but also about how you build community," Gutiérrez said. "Sometimes it means being a bit crazy."