2025 Teaching Contemporary Mathematics Conference
February 28 - March 1, 2025
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, Durham Campus
Have you been searching for a way to make math relevant to your students in their everyday lives? Then join us for TCM 2025 where we will focus on mathematical modeling and ways for educators to enhance their students' mathematical understanding by tackling and solving real-world problems! Sessions will highlight the alignment of mathematical modeling with the standards of a variety of academic courses. Participants will have the opportunity to collaborate with other educators through workshops and presentations that focus on practical applications and teaching strategies. Join us to deepen your knowledge of mathematical modeling and explore its integration into courses from Algebra to Calculus.
What exactly is mathematical modeling?
Modeling can take many forms depending on the task’s goals and the students’ level of understanding. At TCM, mathematical modeling focuses on using mathematical structures and processes to address real-world problems. Modeling involves making assumptions, identifying key variables, developing equations or systems to represent their interactions, analyzing said interactions to gain insights, making predictions, and refining the model as needed. It's important to note that a single activity doesn’t need to include every step of the process to qualify as modeling, but every modeling activity should be grounded in a real-world context and offer multiple points of entry for students. We believe mathematical modeling empowers students to see the relevance and necessity of mathematics, bridging the gap between abstract concepts and practical applications. Through modeling, students can better understand the power of mathematics, and develop deeper intuition toward solving meaningful problems.
TCM 2025 is thrilled to announce our Plenary Speaker,
Dr. Dan Teague!
Dr. Teague has been an Instructor of Mathematics at NCSSM since 1983 and has taught courses in Mathematical Modeling for more than 35 years. During that time, NCSSM students have written 18 Outstanding papers for the university level MCM/ICM modeling competition and, since 2012, 16 Outstanding and 12 Finalist papers in the high school HiMCM competition.
He has served on the NCTM Board of Directors and on the Board of Governors of the Mathematical Association of America as Governor-at-Large and as 2nd Vice President. He has been recognized with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching (PAEMST), the WW Rankin Award for Excellence in Mathematics Education (NCCTM), the UNC Board of Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (UNC) and the Doug Faires Lifetime Achievement Award (COMAP). This past year, NCSSM and former students created the Dan Teague Endowed Chair in Mathematics.
For more than three decades, educators from across the globe have met at TCM for an exchange of advanced, engaging, and effective approaches to mathematics education. With a focus on mathematical concepts and courses for high school and college students, our sessions offer new perspectives, interesting activities, stimulating lesson ideas, and a chance to be energized by old and new friends in the mathematics community.
We are looking forward to seeing you in 2025! We are delighted to be continuing our tradition of high quality sessions along with Art Space, Lightning Talks and our Friday evening reception. These well-loved events, amazing speakers, and discounts for early registration and NC Public High School teachers all guarantee that it will be a weekend you won't want to miss! Registration is now open, so reserve your spot and be part of a community of educators exchanging ideas about improving the practice of mathematics education.
