April 28th, 2010
Texas State's Mathworks gains 3M Foundation grant

Founder of Mathworks, Texas State’s Max Warshauer.

STAFF REPORT

Texas State’s award-winning Mathworks program was recently given a grant by the 3M Foundation supporting the creation of video podcast lessons by Austin middle school students piloting Mathworks curriculum.

The students will explain fundamental math concepts to other students through the podcasts, making an online network of peer-to-peer learning.

“We are delighted to be partnering with 3M in a new program that will engage students in making podcasts to share ideas about mathematics problems with other students online,” said Max Warshauer, director of Mathworks and Regents Professor of Mathematics.  “Students who make a podcast will learn the ideas better themselves, while giving others the opportunity to build on those ideas.”

Russell Bridges, the government and community affairs manager at 3M’s Austin Center, said the $5,950 grant will help students learn important concepts through the innovative podcast program.

“Intertwining new technology with the math curriculum will make learning more relevant and even more intriguing for students,” said Bridges.  “Learning from a peer will help certain students embrace math concepts more readily.”

Mathworks is a math education center at Texas State with core programs of summer math camps, teacher training and curriculum development.  Mathworks textbooks are being piloted in eight different schools across four districts, impacting more than 1,300 middle school students with its innovative approach to math education.

For more information about the camps and other Mathworks programs, call (512) 245-3439, email mathworks@txstate.edu or visit  http://www.txstate.edu/mathworks/.