Thursday Think Speaker Series

Thursday Think Speaker Series

The MƒA Thursday Think Speaker Series brings accomplished speakers who dive into cutting edge topics in STEM education to MƒA. A unique part of our professional course offerings, these talks, held on a Thursday of every month throughout the school year, invite MƒA teachers and their colleagues, as well as other educators and the general public to learn and engage with these thought leaders and professionals in mathematics, science, and education.

Upcoming Events

February 4 -- Volcanology: Danger, Discovery, and Delight

Featuring Jess Phoenix

The Earth is a living planet and every day, scientists around the world work hard to uncover its secrets—even the deadly ones. Volcanoes are the embodiment of how nature allows for beauty and brutality to coexist. They are unique windows into the planet's ongoing processes of creation and destruction. In this talk, volcanologist Jess Phoenix explores the wonders and risks of participating in the scientific process to save lives, and shares from her years of research using time-tested and cutting edge scientific techniques to take the pulse of our planet's beating heart.

MƒA teachers must register on the Small-World Network. Other guests should please register here.

More about Jess Phoenix

Jess Phoenix is Executive Director and co-founder of the environmental science research organization Blueprint Earth. She is a volcanologist, an extreme explorer, host of the Catastrophe! podcast, and a former candidate for United States Congress. Her expertise is in lava flows and natural hazards, with an emphasis on volcanic hazards. Her work has taken her to six continents, where she has organized and led over 25 scientific research expeditions. Jess is a Fellow in The Explorers Club and the Royal Geographical Society, a host on the Discovery and Science Channels, an invited TEDx speaker, and has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Wired, Fast Company, National Public Radio, CNN, NBC. She has also written for the BBC and Face The Current magazine. Jess is the author of the upcoming book Ms. Adventure: My Wild Explorations in Science, Lava, and Life from Timber Press (Spring 2021).

Previous Speakers

Examining Identity, Agency, Positionality and Authority in Mathematics Teaching with National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) President Dr. Robert Berry

In this talk, Dr. Robert Berry III unpacks the relationship between mathematics teaching and identity, agency, positionality, and authority. Specifically, this talk focuses on connecting the theoretical lens of equitable mathematics teaching and learning to practical applications. He uses the voices of students and teachers to examine how tasks, discourse, and engagement positions them as mathematically competent. He unpacks mathematical discourse as a framework for connecting mathematics to identity and agency. The discussions of teaching practices that cultivate identity, agency, positionality, and authority are grounded in the work of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).

Watch the Video

When Content Meets Context: Toward a Revolution in STEM Education with Professor Chris Emdin

In this talk, Professor Chris Emdin explored the historical and contemporary landscape of urban education and provided a new lens for viewing how and why teachers must focus on deep excavations of culture in order to gain new approaches to improving STEM pedagogy. In particular, he merged cutting-edge research with real-life examples to provide ways that educators may re-imagine their roles in STEM teaching and learning and meet the needs of their most marginalized students.

More about Chris Emdin

Christopher Emdin is an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics, Science, and Technology at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he also serves as the Associate Director of the Institute for Urban and Minority Education. He is the creator of the #HipHopEd social media movement and Science Genius B.A.T.T.L.E.S., as well as the author of the award-winning book Urban Science Education for the Hip- Hop Generation and the New York Times best seller For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood and the Rest of Ya’ll Too. Emdin was named the 2015 Multicultural Educator of the Year by the National Association of Multicultural Educators and has been honored as a STEM Access Champion of Change by the White House under President Obama. In addition to teaching, he served as a Minorities in Energy Ambassador for the U.S. Department of Energy.

Made You Look: Statistics Through Data Visualization with Data Editor of Guadian US Mona Chalabi

Statistics often feels divorced from reality. Data visualizations offer us a way to understand numbers, make them more relatable and remind ourselves that the two are inseparable – every data point comes from a place, a time, a person. In this talk, data journalist Mona Chalabi, discussed ways to use data visualizations to not only better understand the numbers but to also inspire us to ask more questions. We looked at some fun visualizations and some heavier ones as well, but all were memorable and allowed us to see how we can explore important statistical concepts with our students.

More about Mona Chalabi

Mona Chalabi is the Data Editor of Guardian US and has presented TV shows for the BBC, National Geographic, Channel 4 and VICE. Before joining The Guardian US, Mona wrote for Nate Silver’s site FiveThirtyEight where she also presented a regular segment on American National Public Radio called “The Number Of The Week.” She began to write about statistics after analyzing large data sets in her roles at the Bank of England, the Economist Intelligence Unit, Transparency International and the International Organization for Migration.

Read more about the talk on the MƒA blog

Hands-On Puzzles with Mathematician and Sculptor Dr. George Hart

Mechanical puzzles provide fun challenges that can involve assembly or disassembly, geometric arrangement, and logical and spatial thinking. They often require the solver to think "outside the box" and find creative solutions to problems that at first seem impossible. They can be wonderful ways to introduce students to the joy of struggling with a problem over time and then feeling the "Aha" of satisfaction that leads them to seek further challenges. Working with puzzles also helps develop the skill of perseverance, which can be transferred to many other domains. In this event, sculptor and mathematician George Hart talked about some of his favorite puzzles that can be used in a classroom. This was followed by a hands-on period in which participants played with a collection of puzzles and built some small puzzles to take home.

More about George Hart

George Hart is a mathematician and sculptor, whose work has been exhibited around the world. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, both from MIT. Hart's research explores innovative ways to use computer technology in the design and fabrication of artwork. He is a research professor in the computer science department at Stony Brook University, a co-founder of the Museum of Mathematics, and is the author of the book Zome Geometry.

Read more about the talk on the MƒA blog

For speaker inquiries or speaking opportunities, contact Jennifer Cody, Program Officer for Engagement and Communications.

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