Trine hosts first Math Kids' Night

ANGOLA, Ind. — Approximately 50 students from Hendry Park, Ryan Park and Carlin Park elementary schools challenged their math skills by shooting some hoops, solving puzzles and playing games at the Trine University Math Club’s inaugural Math Kids’ Night, which was held Friday night at the Carlin Park Elementary School gymnasium.
 
“We wanted to go beyond the boundaries of this campus and be a resource for the teachers and children in our community,” said math club advisor Haseeb Kazi, Ph.D. “We understand as math teachers and students that having strong concepts at an elementary level is really important for future mathematics learning.”
 
Trine’s Math club students came up with the idea for the event earlier in the school year as a community service projects. They developed activities to help teach important math skills.
 
Club members and other Trine volunteers led activities. Younger students used measurement skills to make their own play dough and learned about addition and subtraction using a walk-on number line. They also played fun pattern and shape recognition games. More advanced students experimented with fractions and worked on solving mathematical puzzles. They also played basketball with the goal of determining the optimal maximum range for making the most baskets.
 
The event was free of charge and all who attended enjoyed pizza and drinks, courtesy of the math club. Donations were accepted and all money raised was divided between Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana and the Fourever Friends Memorial Scholarship at the Steuben County Community Foundation.
 
“We hope this is the first of many Math Kids’ Nights,” said David Finley, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs at Trine. “It is our goal to not just be involved in the community, but to be a positive influence in the lives of others.”