Skip to main content
COMMUNITY:
Project Descriptions

Public Understanding of Math Initiative

October 15, 1998 - September 30, 2002 | Public Programs
The Widmeyer-Baker Group (TWBG) working in conjunction with The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, Incorporated (NACME) proposes to design and implement a campaign of Public Understanding and Engagement of Mathematics targeted toward national, state, and local audiences. The primary goal of the campaign is to engage the publics' thinking about what students in the United States should know and be able to do in mathematics in the middle school grades and the reasons mathematics is important to successful careers and to live an interesting and productive life. The approach will expose a diverse cross-section of Americans to mathematics using math puzzles designed by NCTM. TWBG will make widespread use of these camera-ready math puzzles in a variety of ways and formats. The primary audience for this campaign is the general adult population. The secondary audience is the middle school students and their parents, including persons serving as parent surrogates (i.e., extended family, foster parents, daycare providers, etc.). This initiative will be a grassroots effort capable of reaching every community throughout the United States. TWBG will be expected to make creative use and/ or collaboration with mass media, policy/administrative/teaching and grassroots organizations, corporations, and federal and state agencies in dissemination of the message about the campaign.

Funders

NSF
Funding Program: ISE/AISL
Award Number: 9813062
Funding Amount: 1637773

TEAM MEMBERS

  • Jason Smith
    Principal Investigator
    Widmeyer Communications
  • Michael Baker
    Former Principal Investigator
    Widmeyer Communications
  • Ruth Chacon
    Co-Principal Investigator
    Widmeyer Communications
  • Discipline: Mathematics
    Audience: Parents/Caregivers | Middle School Children (11-13) | Adults | General Public | Museum/ISE Professionals
    Environment Type: Public Programs | Community Outreach Programs

    If you would like to edit a resource, please email us to submit your request.