CMC 2016 - Palm Springs

It was another fruitful trip to Palm Springs's annual CMC Math Conference. I attended the following sessions and noted these takeaways.

Friday
10:30a - Square Progression by Anna Kwak (Azusa USD)
The progression of the concepts of squares was modeled through the vertically alignment of the content strand from elementary to high school. 

1:30p - Making Sense of Inference for Sampling & Experiments by Daren Starnes (The Lawrenceville School, NJ)
Through both digital and hands-on simulations, we examined deeper understanding of inference questions on the AP Statistics exam.

3:30p - Knocking Down Barriers w/ Technology by Eli Luberoff (Desmos)
Eli, the founder of Desmos, showed how technology in education can be a double edged sword. We interacted with outstanding Desmos activities called Marble Slides and Point Collector.

Saturday
8:30a - Principles for Building & Using Effective Digital Tasks by Michael Fenton (Desmos)
Using a variety of Desmos activities, teachers learned ways to promote learning that is easy to begin and difficult to finish. (Low floor, high ceiling.) Vary the verbs and the nouns, don't just solve, solve, solve.

10:30a - Sparking Deeper Understanding w/ Simulations in Statistics by Douglas Tyson (Central York, PA)
Two very interesting and relevant activities were introduced. (1) Can you smell Parkinson's and (2) Spin that penny.

12:15p - AP Statistics Luncheon
Guest speaker Roxy Peck showed us a new statistics website for high school students and parents who may be interested in the field. (ThisIsStatistics.org)

1:15p - Significance Test Are More Than Juat a P-Value by Luke Wilcox (Kentwood, MI)
We used simulation to discuss the problem: Can yawning be contagious?

3:15p - Math is Power, Not Punishment by Dan Meyer (Desmos)
We need to offer students an opportunity to feel the need for mathematics. Teachers should allow math to be a tool for empowerment and not punishment.