On December 9th, students in the Fall 2020 course Multicultural Mathematics Education (MSTM 5020) presented their visions of mathematical spaces for effective education of a multicultural student body. The course is taught by Dr. Rochy Flint, whose own research focuses on equity in mathematics education. It is a survey of mathematical topics and methods appropriate for multicultural and bilingual programs, leading students to develop tons of interesting ideas about what more inclusive, culturally relevant mathspaces can look like.

MathSpaces are any space, physical or virtual, where mathematics learning, socialization, and/or identity development occurs. Two students, Alex Pulgini and Isabel Mathew, explored Tibetan Buddhist sand mandalas as multicultural mathspaces, reflecting on mathematical properties involved in the creation of the intricate, colorful geometric patterns which make up these spiritual works of art. Another duo, Kyle DeAngelis and Eric Gao, analyzed the mathematical richness of the game of street dominoes, which you can commonly find being played in the summer months in Latinx neighborhoods in upper Manhattan and the Bronx. These are just two of the many projects presented, all of which were unique, interesting, and definitely worth checking out. You can watch all of the Mulitcultural MathSpaces presentations here!