Whether you realized it or not, you probably used math today. How? While watching a baseball game, did you look at the batter's average to determine his  probability of getting a hit? Did you keep score in a game? Did you measure ingredients for a recipe? Add up your purchases at the store or calculate how much change you would receive? Estimate how far you threw a football? Figure out how to share food with some friends? Estimate how much time you had left to clean up before mom got home? All of these activities require math.

Purpose:  The Use Math! initiative is designed to help upper elementary and middle school students make rich connections between classroom mathematics and the real world while exposing students to a variety of potential careers.

Project Summary: Student participants are encouraged to post ways in which they use math outside of the math classroom, as well as ask questions to professionals regarding how they use math on-the-job and in daily life. Our professional panel is asked to post professional and personal uses of math, as well as answer questions posed by our students. Follow this link to the Use Math! blog where math uses and questions can be posted. Information posted on the blog will be compiled and summarized on this website.

Time frame: This program is being piloted from now through August 2. Data gathered here will be used to determine how and when the official program will be launched.

Participation: Participation is open to all students in grades 4-8 (approximate ages 8 through 14) or corresponding levels internationally, teachers of those grades or levels, and professionals from a variety of occupations.

Project Coordinator: 

Patricia Stilts
Math Teacher
Arbor Park Middle School
School District 145
17303 Central Avenue
Oak Forest, IL  60452
trish496@comcast.net

Registration: To participate in the Use Math! pilot, please send an e-mail to Trish Stilts at trish496@comcast.net. 

Please include the information listed here:

Teachers	Students	Professionals
Your e-mail	Your e-mail	Your e-mail
Your name	Your name (first name only)	Your name
Your city and state or country	Your city and state or country	Your city and state or country
The grade or level you teach	Your grade or level in school	Your occupation
Your school district	Your age	A brief job description.
The name of your school