Reflection: Math (Un)fair

Today our class had the opportunity to attend the Math (Un)fair organized by Point Grey Academy, and I was very impressed with what I saw. The most memorable part of the experience was realizing how much effort the students had put into each project just by observing how they were designed and displayed. These took hours of planning and construction as well as support from their parents. 

For some projects, I liked their aesthetic design, while for others I was fascinated by the game mechanics. There were a variety of themes and original ideas that made each station unique. I also thought that the students' applications of probability were well executed, and many of them were able to explain to us why certain games were fair or unfair mathematically. Most of the stations used spinning wheels and dice to incorporate the element of randomization, and some of them strengthened this by adding basketball hoops or ping pong balls.

I think events such as this can definitely enrich students' learning experience, especially at an early age. Not only will they gain a deeper understanding of mathematical ideas, but they can also develop imperative skills such as teamwork and creativity. During my elementary school years, I was only involved in one science fair, so this was also a fairly new experience for me, and as a prospective teacher, it was great to learn about how children approach such projects and how this can be implemented in the classroom setting.

PS: It was also a great feeling to be rewarded with some prizes, so not all games were unfair!