Mathematics Festivals
SCOE offers three unique mathematics festivals that bring hands-on mathematics activities into local schools.
- Number Festival: 20 stations addressing "number sense" topics and skills.
- Algebra Festival: 18 stations addressing pre-algebra topics and skills.
- Geometry Festival: 20 stations addressing geometry and measurement.
These festivals are designed so that groups of students can rotate through a series of workstations or centers that highlight various mathematics concepts and skills. The students work with a variety of manipulatives and activity sheets that guide them through the workstation and allow them to interact with a concept or skill. The festivals are geared for grade K-8 students and are flexible enough to be accessible to many different levels of mathematics proficiency. The festivals come with a presenter and all the required materials for the stations.
Math festivals are a great way for students, teachers, and parents to experience mathematics in a setting other than typical “school math.” Mathematics problems and tasks that allow for various pathways to solutions are provided, encouraging students to apply skills and strategies already learned and giving them the opportunity for discourse with peers and/or families.
Fee Schedule
- Full-day: $250
Includes 4-6 rotations depending on bell schedules, lunch times, etc. This is usually sufficient for all students at one school to experience the festival. - Half-day: $150
Includes 3-4 rotations. This is usually sufficient for a grade span (K-2 or 3-6) to experience the festival. - Evening: $150
This option allows students and parents to return to school in the evening and experience the festival together. It is an excellent opportunity to build a strong home-school connection. - Full-day and evening: $350
This is the most powerful option. After experiencing the festival during the day, the students return to school with their parents and act as docents, tutors or guides as they go through the festival together.
Requirements & Recommendations
- The festivals require the use of a multi-purpose room with 8-12 large tables. Full-day and full-day with evening presentations require the use of the room for the entire day, including lunch times and after school.
- The festivals come with a presenter, but an additional teacher or administrator from the school and 8-12 parent volunteers are also needed. No prior knowledge of mathematics is required of parent volunteers.
- One hour of set-up and preparation time is required prior to the start of the festival. Parent volunteers must arrive 30 minutes before the festival begins.
- Groups of no more than 80 students rotate through the festival for 30-35 minutes, with 10-minute passing time between groups.
- A microphone and PA system are recommended, but not required.
- Teachers must accompany their students and remain with them during their time slot at the festival.
- Students may experience the festival in grade-alike or mixed groups. Pairing upper grades with primary classes often works best.
- A checklist of requirements and sample schedule is sent to the school three weeks prior to the event. A final schedule is sent at least three days prior to the event.
Contact
- Dave Chosa, Mathematics/Technology Specialist
(707) 522-3163,