UNE welcomes more than 200 fifth grade students for math festival

RSU 21 students came to UNE to think critically and to explore mathematics
RSU 21 students came to UNE to think critically and to explore mathematics

UNE recently hosted more than 200 fifth grade students from RSU 21 for a mathematics festival to expand their interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

The Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival supports locally organized events that inspire students to think critically and to explore mathematics through collaborative, creative problem-solving.

Students choose among several tables offering problem sets, games, or puzzles with mathematical themes. The festival engages many types of students, including those who don’t enjoy competition or working under time pressure. They work as long as they wish, while a facilitator provides support and encouragement. Several UNE faculty members worked with the students as facilitators.

“The students had a great time and enjoyed being at UNE,” commented Sheila Wells, RSU 21 STEM Coordinator. “Even with the University so close to their hometowns, many students have never visited a college campus. Just the experience of driving through the University, seeing the athletic fields, Leonard Hall and Ripich Commons was truly an experience they will not forget.”

The festival is also a community event, bringing together institutions and organizations to celebrate mathematics.

“We would love to extend an invitation to UNE faculty to visit any of our schools and really develop the relationship between our district and the University,” Wells stated.

Wells says the festival is made possible only through the generous support of Corning Inc., The University of New England, the Education Foundation of the Kennebunks and Arundel, and RSU 21. 

 

Several UNE faculty members served as facilitators to provide the students with support and encouragement
Several UNE faculty members served as facilitators to provide the students with support and encouragement
Students visited several tables that offered problem sets, games, or puzzles with mathematical themes
Students visited several tables that offered problem sets, games, or puzzles with mathematical themes
President James Herbert welcomes the fifth graders to Leonard Hall
President James Herbert welcomes the fifth graders to Leonard Hall

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.