PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — 16 education agencies in Michigan are receiving grant money from the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) to improve math teaching and learning.
The grants are funded through the State School Aid Act.
“It’s exciting to see the enormous interest of local and intermediate school districts in these math grants,” said State Superintendent Dr. Michael F. Rice. “These grants will help improve mathematics teaching and learning throughout the state.”
Northview Public Schools was awarded more than $206,000 for its Mavin Project, a project-based learning model for mathematics.
Students in at Northview High School can take these math classes that focus not on traditional learning, but learning math through technology with real-life application.
"We're essentially teaching algebra one, but in a way that is very hands on, very project-based," said Andrew Otten, Northview High School math teacher. "It creates that engagement by creating things that you can actually hold in your hand."
They use CAD software, or computer aided design, to create 3D printed objects or laser cut products.
"I think the reality is the jobs that are out there, the theoretical math is a very small percentage of the jobs that are out there," said Otten. "It's still important, obviously, but the bigger percentage of jobs out there are very hands on technology related, creating something using software like CAD. This class is giving the opportunity to at least play with it, see if they like it, before they even get to post high school type decisions."
Math is incorporated through a lot of spreadsheets, using the cells and variables to make the dimensions for their products.
"We are going to be running this classroom almost like a business environment, a work environment," said Taylor Jolliffe, another math teacher at the school. "Students will have jobs that is their responsibility within the classroom, and they're creating products that are going to go out into the community."
The nearly $25 million in funding is split between these schools:
Systems development:
- Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District, $10.4 million.
- Ypsilanti Community Schools, $809,800.
- High-quality mathematics instructional materials:
- Pickford Public Schools, $66,151.
- Pontiac School District, 181,346.
- Walkerville Public Schools, $77,110.
- West Branch-Rose City Area Schools, $142,000.
- Gratiot-Isabella Regional Education Service District, $963,327.
- Wayne RESA, $1,847,740.
- Math recovery:
- Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency, $3,556,834.
- Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, $334,600.
- Just-in-time supports:
- Dearborn Public Schools, $3,717,878.
- Fennville Public Schools, $81,457.
- Lincoln Consolidated Schools, $482,500.
- Northview Public Schools, $206,501.
- Genesee Intermediate School District, $108,993.
- Washtenaw Intermediate School District, $2,019,400.