Elementary students from across the School District of Lancaster had a chance to experience math outside the classroom as they gathered with their families for an evening of activities designed to make solving problems fun.
The district hosted its annual Math Fair on Oct. 28 at Wickersham Elementary School in partnership with Mathematics Educators at Millersville University (MEMU), a student organization made up of aspiring teachers.
Millersville students guided children through activities that encouraged them to explore mathematical concepts in a more relaxed setting. Families joined in, giving parents an opportunity to see their children work through challenges and discover what they could accomplish.
“One of the things we want our students to understand is that being good at math doesn’t mean having every answer right away,” said Laura Trimble, instructional coach for elementary mathematics at the School District of Lancaster. “It’s about being willing to try, talk through your thinking and learn from the process. The Math Fair gives families an opportunity to experience that together and see how much their children are capable of.”
Ashley Yorty, president of MEMU and a junior studying secondary mathematics education, said the fair offers children a chance to enjoy math without the pressure they might associate with schoolwork. “We are just trying to give an opportunity for kids to come in and not be in a scary classroom setting, and they get to have fun and get prizes out of it with their parents with them,” Yorty said.
Now in her third year participating in the event, Yorty has developed a personal appreciation for what the fair offers. She remembers learning math as a child but never having an opportunity to attend an event like this one. Returning each year allows her to share an experience she wishes she had growing up.
She also hopes parents recognize what their children are capable of when given the opportunity to work through something challenging. “Kids are truly able to do so much more than they think they are,” Yorty said. “I hope that parents can see them doing this in this situation and realize that they can be pushed and they can do more.”
Savannah Williar, vice president of MEMU and a fellow junior studying secondary mathematics education, hopes the experience helps families develop a more positive relationship with math. She recognizes that even parents can feel uncertain about the subject when helping their children with homework.
“I just hope that they can see that math can be fun, and that there are things locally for their children to do that are fun, but also enriching,” Williar said. For Williar, the appeal of mathematics comes from the challenge of figuring something out. She compares it to solving a puzzle and enjoys the satisfaction of finding an answer, even when getting there takes several attempts.
“I feel like I’m solving a puzzle, and I really enjoy the sense of accomplishment I get at the end,” she said. Both Yorty and Williar hope to become high school math teachers after graduation. The fair gives them an opportunity to practice explaining mathematical concepts to younger students while gaining experience working with families.
The partnership between the district and Millersville University dates back at least 10 years, according to Erin Moss, professor of mathematics education at Millersville. The Math Fair is an annual opportunity for MEMU members to connect with Lancaster students and put their enthusiasm for teaching into practice.
Moss said one of the most rewarding parts of mathematics education is helping people reconsider the subject, particularly those who have struggled with it in the past.
“Lots of people had really bad experiences in math,” Moss said. Moss hopes experiences like the fair help them see mathematics as “something that’s far more open and interesting and up for debate than they thought it was.”
For Moss, the evening is an opportunity for families to recognize that everyone has something valuable to contribute, regardless of their previous experiences with math.
“I hope people are laughing tonight,” Moss said. “I hope they feel like they’re smart and like they have something to bring to the table.” For more photos, visit us on social media.