The Department of Mathematics is excited to announce that the Math Outreach Office has secured a prestigious grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) through its PromoScience Program. The program supports organizations that work with young Canadians to promote an understanding of science, engineering, mathematics, and technology. The program funds hands-on learning experiences for students in elementary and high schools, as well as professional development for educators.
The grant will provide funding for the Count Me In program at the University of Toronto. The program aims to reduce math anxiety and improve student confidence through fostering student enthusiasm for math, and helping educators to teach math in engaging ways. The program targets students and teachers in areas facing economic, social, or geographical barriers that prevent individuals from obtaining good educational outcomes.
With the support of the NSERC PromoScience funding, the Count Me In program is projected to reach over 200 students through in-class programming and more than 900 teachers through the educator conference. The grant will help cover operational costs, expand recruitment efforts, and enhance interactive workshop offerings.
Kyle Tran, Outreach Administrator, expressed excitement about the grant and its potential impact:
“We are thrilled to announce this new initiative in the Math Outreach Office! Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our incredible team, we are bringing back a newly re-designed Count Me In program. With the support of the NSERC PromoScience grant, we are excited to expand the program’s reach and create an even greater impact for both students and teachers within the math learning community.”
Key Individuals Involved
The success of the Count Me In program is driven by a dedicated team:
- Principal Applicant: Robert Jerrard, Professor and Chair, Department of Mathematics
- Program Lead: Kyle Tran, Outreach Administrator, Department of Mathematics
- Lead Program Advisor & Conference Chair: Stan Yoshinobu, Professor, Teaching Stream, Department of Mathematics
The success of this initiative is made possible through the support and contributions of numerous individuals. Special recognition goes to Melissa Collia and Shaked Danieli, Outreach Coordinators in the Department of Mathematics, and Dr. Mary Reid, Associate Professor at OISE, for their unwavering dedication to the Count Me In program.
Congratulations to the entire team for securing this important grant and for their continued dedication to making mathematics more accessible and engaging for students and educators!