Educational Program

The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences (PIMS) sponsors and coordinates a wide assortment of educational activities for the K-12 level, as well as undergraduate, graduate students, women and minorities. PIMS is dedicated to increasing public awareness of the importance of mathematics in the world around us. We want young people to see that mathematics is a subject that opens doors to more than just careers in science. Many different and exciting fields in industry are eager to recruit people that are well prepared in this subject.

PIMS - Scientific

PIMS believes that training the next generation of mathematical scientists and promoting diversity within mathematics cannot begin too early. From its inception, PIMS has supported a series of educational initiatives, including:

  • Organization of interesting, fun and challenging math events for children of all ages.
  • Facilitation of access to information about math education matters to parents, teachers and university faculty. (Newsletters, workshops, conferences, special publications, etc.)
  • Coordination of workshops to create links of communication between parents, teachers, mathematicians and math-educators.
  • Publishing Pi in the Sky, a math magazine for high school students, to promote mathematics, increasing the involvement of high school students in mathematical activities, and promoting careers in mathematical sciences.
  • Holding the Elementary Math Contest (ELMACON) for pupils in grades 5-7.
  • Organizing a series of mathematical events in schools (Math Fairs in Alberta and Math Mania in B.C.).
  • Supporting Math on the Move in rural Saskatchewan.
  • Hosting the annual Changing the Culture conferences for school teachers.

For may years now PIMS has been promoting numeracy and mathematical education in First Nations communities. We have established a partnership with the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC) in B.C. PIMS organizes  one-week long teacher training sessions throughout the province at the request of several First Nations Schools. We have also developed a mentorship program where faculty and students from local universities pair with school teachers to assist in their mathematical training and provide a support network.

 

For more information, please email the Education Team by clicking here.