By: Alyssa Pittman
Math is something most people believe is something that always has an answer. The GSP focus area “Modes of Mathematical Thinking” taught by Kristian Klaene defies that logic. Klaene states “This class is not textbook math problems that you can find the answer to in the back of the book. Sometimes we will find an answer, but other times we deem there might not even be an answer.” The class has covered many different topics so far including solving square roots without a calculator, creating calculator programs, analyzing the yahtzee and plinko algorithms, and asking questions like “is two pi better than pi?”
The scholars go at problems logically in this class having learned a new way of thinking. There is an underlying element of math in the class, but not every problem pertains to math. One scholar, Lelis Dupont, gave the example “It’s not real math that you would learn in school, just puzzles we break down into smaller steps so we can think about it mathematically.”
Scholars in this focus area planned an event called The GSTimes, a play on the widely known New York Times. Klaene’s class spent weeks planning out different variations of games. For example, they planned out a mathematical spelling bee where scholars had to use the numbers around the set one to create an equation to equal the set number. The event was a huge success with RA Bennet taking home a prize as well as two other scholars.
This class has not only planned an entire campus event flawlessly, but also had zoom meetings with various successful people in the math industry. The class had an interview with Noah Thor, a NBA data analyst, to learn about how numbers really do play a part in the sports world. The class then watched the movie MoneyBall to see a visual representation of data analysis in the sports industry.
Spending time with this class gives a new perspective on how problems can and will be solved. The scholars in the Math focus area specifically wanted to thank Kristian Klaene and say that he is an amazing teacher who has made an everlasting impact on them.
Edited by Josiah Self