Small Number
Adventures of Small Number
Over the last 10 years, we have worked to create a series of short stories and animated films that teach math skills and problem-solving within cultural contexts. The main character in all stories is a boy called Small Number, who has an impressive aptitude for mathematics and a proclivity for getting into mischief. Through these stories, we show students that young people, like Small Number, encounter mathematics and require knowledge of it daily. The stories highlight how mathematics can be interesting and applicable in real life problems.
Math Catcher Outreach Program
The Math Catcher Outreach program aims to promote mathematics and scholarship in general by encouraging elementary and high school students to recognize how math is used in everyday life and how it forms the basis for many of our daily decisions and life-long choices. The storytelling, puzzles, pictures, models, and hands-on activities encourage young people to enjoy math and help dispel myths that math is boring and abstract.
More About Small Number
In the News
Cultural Spotlight - Building fish traps, building community, The Source, a forum for diversity
Pi Day: How Indigenous stone-fish-traps contribute to mathematical education, SFU News
Math Catcher Festival: Learning math through storytelling, Teacher Magazine
New "Small Number" K-12 Math Learning Materials Available, SFU News
Indigenization in STEM Community of Practice Kicks Off with "absolutely great" session, The FAUW Blog
Approaching Math Through Story, The Robertson Program for Inquiry-based Teaching in Mathematics and Science
Math Catcher: Mathematics Through Aboriginal Storytelling, MONTECRISTO Magazine
Math Catcher Outreach Program, Indigenous Education, The National Centre For Collaboration)
Basket motifs illustrate mathematical concepts, The Source, a forum for diversity
Digital weaving: Online tool teaches math using Tla'amin basket designs, The Salish Sea Sentinel
Weaving A New Future For Indigenous Education, PIMS Newsletter
Indigenous basket-weaving makes an excellent digital math lesson, The Conversation
Addressing Mathematical Inequity in Indigenous Education:Efforts by Mathematicians and Educators in Western Canada, AMS Notices
Exemplary Classroom Practice, Math Catcher: Mathematics through Aboriginal Storytelling, Martin Family Initiative, Indigenous Educational Resources
Kids' Math Motivation Stems From Proving Something To Themselves, Forbes
Funding uncertain for SFU?s Academic Summer Camp for Aboriginal Students, The Peak
Mathematics talent abounds in Indigenous communities: Rachel Crowell's Take, AMS
Math Catcher helps Indigenous high school students by using storytelling, traditions and culture, The Globe and Mail
Indigenous Storytelling Is Inspiring British Columbia And Alberta Youth To Study Mathematics, Huffington Post
Mathematics talent abounds in Indigenous communities, National Post
Mathematics talent abounds in Indigenous communities, The Conversation
Our Campus: Mark Mac Lean ? math undergraduate chair, children?s book author and epic shitposter, The Ubyssey
Interview with Veselin Jungic, Math Central
Finding strength in numbers, UBC Science
Math Catcher Outreach program offers different approach to numeracy, Windsor Start
Aboriginal teens hone math, English skills at SFU camp, Burnaby Now
Inspiring Dreams, Brooks Secondary School
UBC/CANADA: Mark MacLean Professor, Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Humana University News
Summer Camp Prepares Students for University, SFU News
SFU Reaching Out to Aboriginal Youth, SFU News
Math Catcher Outreach: seeing mathematics in our lives, Mathematics and Science in SD#38 (Richmond)
SFU professor makes math fun in a Coquitlam school, Tri-City News
SFU aboriginal program launches dream, Burnaby Now
Math and Science Field Trip at SFU, The Talking Stick