Upper School Math
Math at Brightworks isn’t your average math class.
In so many places, math is a series of worksheets. At Brightworks, it’s visual, it’s collaborative and it’s about the problem solving.
BWX Middle School Math Odyssey is an immersive and dynamic human-centered project-based learning program designed specifically for middle school students to ignite a passion for mathematics and cultivate a mathematical mindset oriented towards all the ways of being mathematical and mathematically brilliant.
Students exercise mathematical thinking as a practice that is about being creative and making sense. Productive struggle, risk taking and making mistakes are normalized as the essential elements of learning. Learning is a hands-on and joyful collaborative experience where depth of mathematical thinking matters more than getting the correct answer. And critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills are fostered as students engage in complex problem-solving scenarios, encouraging them to analyze, strategize, and synthesize information.
Typical day -
WARM UPS: Students lead the warm up. Different ways of thinking about numbers. Expanding definition of what mathematical thinking is.
The goal of this program is to spark creativity and innovation as students apply mathematical concepts to design solutions for authentic challenges.
Key Features:
Project-Centered Curriculum: Math Odyssey employs a curriculum centered around engaging, real-world projects. Each project is carefully crafted to align with both the Brightworks Arc of Exploration/Expression/Exposition, and the California middle school math standards, ensuring a seamless integration of mathematical concepts into practical, tangible applications. For example, this semester with the Fashion Arc, the middle school math curriculum is designed to encompass all the math content supporting the Fashion Arc, from scaling or proportional relationships to pattern makings of geometric shapes. Currently we are wrapping up this semester with a tessellation project as part of the pattern making where students learn and apply the content knowledge of geometry and solid transformations into making a tessellation pattern.
Interdisciplinary Connections: The program integrates math with other disciplines, creating a holistic learning experience. Students explore connections between mathematics and subjects such as science, technology, engineering, and even the arts, broadening their understanding of how math is applied in diverse fields. The program emphasizes the application of math to solve real-world problems. Students tackle challenges that mirror authentic scenarios, encouraging them to think critically and apply their mathematical knowledge in meaningful ways.
Student-Led Investigations: At macro level, Math Odyssey empowers students to take ownership of their learning through student-led personal and group projects; at micro scale, students of Math Odyssey learn to lead warm up activities. As they explore mathematical concepts in depth, students develop a sense of curiosity and independence in approaching problems. And students develop research and project management skills during the project investigation. Math Odyssey fosters a collaborative learning environment. Through group projects and peer collaboration as well as peer review, students develop accountability, teamwork and communication skills, mirroring the collaborative nature of mathematical problem-solving in professional settings.
Technology Integration: Leveraging cutting-edge technology tools, Math Odyssey enhances the learning experience. Students use digital platforms for research, data analysis, and project presentations, preparing them for the technology-driven landscape of the future.
Assessment through Project Portfolios: Math Odyssey assesses student progress through a hybrid model of mathematical mindset, mastery of core concept and collaboration through a comprehensive project portfolio. Students are practicing math as creative and making sense. These portfolios showcase the health of students' relationship with math learning, students’ problem-solving processes, creativity, and the application of mathematical concepts in a variety of contexts.
Student Discourse: Encouraging meaningful discourse in the classroom is essential for fostering a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and promoting the development of critical thinking and communication skills. Math Odyssey’s delivery of curriculum is scaffolded through the 8 standards of math practices: (1) Make sense of problems & persevere in solving them; (2) Reason abstractly & quantitatively; (3) Construct viable arguments & critique the reasoning of others; (4) Model with mathematics; (5) Use appropriate tools strategically; (6) Attend to precision; (7) Look for & make use of structure; (8) Look for & express regularity in repeated reasoning. These practices are employed to exercise students’ mathematical thinking and communication that serve students in their academic and professional journeys.
Community Engagement: Math Odyssey actively involves the local community by inviting guest speakers, experts, and professionals to collaborate on projects besides opportunities of collaborating with science and art museums. This connection provides students with real-world insights and inspirations, and showcases the relevance of mathematics beyond the classroom.
Our High School program expands on our projects are Data Story Postcard, Spotify Shuffle, Machine Learning, etc. which are all keenly associated with the cutting-edge realm of information technology. Students are learning statistical concepts such as standard deviation in the authentic projects and making a real impact through their learning. Science of Color theory and antiracist awareness are integrated through the learning process. For next semester, projects such as cubism integrating geometry and financial literacy are planned for high school students.
Math Odyssey is not just a math program; it's a transformative learning experience that inspires a love for mathematics while equipping middle school students with the skills they need for future success. Through hands-on projects and real-world applications, students embark on a journey of discovery, becoming confident, critical thinkers ready to tackle the challenges of our current and future times. Regardless of all the beautiful innovations in our program, our primary philosophy is ‘Students are our most important project’; that human connection with your children is our foundation for our work and mission to tap into and extend the full potential of your children.