#TacomaMath, the math work group of Graduate Tacoma‘s Steam Learning Network, is on a mission to promote mathematics in our community. Our goal? To positively change the culture of mathematics throughout Tacoma. The pandemic threw a wrench into our plans. We swerved and had some successes with sidewalk chalk puzzlers and open ended scavenger questsContinue reading “February 5 Day 334: New Adventures in #TacomaMath”
Category Archives: Pandemic
February 4 Day 333: By the Numbers
As a combinatorialist, I count things. I am participating in a weekly remote mindfulness training through the UW Resiliency Lab and it is a breath of fresh air, literally. Of all the practices I have learned, the one where we count the length of our inhalations and extend it by +2 on the exhalation reallyContinue reading “February 4 Day 333: By the Numbers”
February 1 Day 330: Actually Day 1
When I woke up this morning, I didn’t feel any different. I’ve worked with the MAA for many years in many different roles. However, today you may call me Madame President and my husband, the First Gentleman of Mathematics (but he would prefer the First Exponent). I am honored to start a two year termContinue reading “February 1 Day 330: Actually Day 1”
January 23 Day 321: Zoom Refresher
It’s been 321 days since remote teaching in Washington State began. We learned enough to get by and for some people that was sufficient. But as we continue teaching from a distance, I would like to propose there are better ways. And rather than rejecting suggestions out of hand, I ask that you open yourContinue reading “January 23 Day 321: Zoom Refresher”
January 21 Day 319: Connection
Today was punctuated with many one-on-one interactions with people I care deeply about. Whether it was planned research time, a fortunate coincidence in Gather.town, a telephone call (gasp, how novel!), or the family meal, everything helped make this world a little smaller and a little more caring. Plus I got to work with my studentsContinue reading “January 21 Day 319: Connection”
January 20 Day 318: Grey Hairs
I needed a new “professional” photograph. I considered using a Zoom screenshot with appropriate background, but instead asked my husband to help out. He took more than 100 photos with various backgrounds. I don’t particularly like photos of myself. And COVID isolation weight gain hasn’t improved my self image. I see myself on Zoom daily.Continue reading “January 20 Day 318: Grey Hairs”
January 5 Day 303: Notable Firsts
The Joint Mathematics Meeting 2021 is a virtual affair and will be my first national conference of the pandemic. It officially starts tomorrow morning but today was the MAA Board of Directors meeting that is held the day before. I’ve just finished planning my first two days of attendance. There is a learning curve forContinue reading “January 5 Day 303: Notable Firsts”
January 1 Day 299: and a Happy New Year
2020 was a year like no other. Sometimes it is hard to see the bright side when important activities are getting cancelled right and left. In the cover image, family members selected a Zoom background of a place they would like to visit. Mark and Anson picked locations from their hearts to which they wouldContinue reading “January 1 Day 299: and a Happy New Year”
December 20 Day 287: Holiday Gathering
In this time when we are suppose to limit our exposure to others, indoor gatherings of friends and family are frowned upon. How is a girl supposed to celebrate the holidays with the family she loves? Especially when they are over 2500 miles away? My husband will groan, but I am suggesting gather.town. They haveContinue reading “December 20 Day 287: Holiday Gathering”
December 14 Day 281: Ridiculous
What was the most ridiculous thing you heard today? No really, take a minute and think about it. Write it down on a scrap of paper or perhaps even reply to this post (on FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, WordPress—anywhere you read the blog). I’ll wait. * * * * * * * * * * *Continue reading “December 14 Day 281: Ridiculous”
Math Belongs to All of Us 