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Show Mathematics Fair: popular quarterly event with area teachers, families By Casey Christensen news wriler-Signpost Area teachers, students and parents are invited to "take a BYTE out of math" by learning new and fun ways to implement math strategies at the quarterly Math Fair and Exhibition. The free math fair is Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the union building, room 347. WSU elementary education students make problem solving fun by presenting hands-on and computer integrated approaches to mathematics. The fair will give participants the opportunity to see the activities performed firsthand. Mian Yusuf, assistant professor of teacher education said, "We want math content to make more sense to children through making it fun. We have more technology, and we want to use it." WSU elementary education majors have planned 12 activities for kindergarten through eighth grade students. They will dem Look for the Graywhale CD Make sure to come visit our store on 4300 Harrison for all your new & used CDs, tapes, video games, t-shirts, & stickers! onstrate new ways to relate curriculum math subjects to more meaningful ways of learning. Elementary-school teacher Jacqueline Sitzmann said, "Anytime you can use hands-on learning, kids are more involved. It is non-threatening which makes it easier for kids to learn." The first 30 teachers and parents who bring a group of students will receive a free math activity book. Other fair participants can purchase the book at the fair for $6. Sitzmann said, "The book gives you new ideas for hands-on activities to use in the classroom. No matter what level the children are at, they are able to participate in these activities." Students coordinating the exhibit have based the fair standards on those set by the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics.All states use these standards that were developed to make teaching mathematics more efficient and successful. O Week for Honours students to shine By Carolyn Bell news writer-Signpost The Honours Programme is said to be the best kept secret at Weber State University, and May 27-31 is their week to shine. The Honours Student Association will be hosting their annual Honours week, which sponsors various activities for all faculty, students and potential students. "This week is a week for Honours students to shine. ..to show their creativity," said Patti Sanchez, Honours Programme coordinator. Honours week is a week of activities including sidewalk-painting contests, poetry recitations, a poetry hike, a seminar by Michael Wutz, Advanced Placement night,Western-movie marathon night, Honours Issues Forum by Morris Berman, rollerblading, facultystudent soft-ball game, and for the grand finale, an Honours Banquet at Union Station."It gives us a chance to have some fun and a chance to get some publicity," said Chandra Smith, chairwoman of the bridge program for freshman students. Sanchez said the Honours Programme is typically generalized as a group of bookworms wearing pocket protectors. When in reality, they are mainstream students who are wanting to dedicate themselves to deep learning."Honours students really have a desire to succeed. They are interested in reading, research and litera- C3 "It gives us a chance to hove some fun and a chance to get some publicity." Chandra Smith, chairwoman of the bridge program for freshmen students at WSU ture. It's not more work, it's more depth," Sanchez said. The Honours Programme, developed in 1967 by Jennings Olson, is a program primarily targeted at students who wish to pursue more than the typical bachelors degree. Students involved, carry a 3.5 or higher grade point average, an ACT composite score of 26 or higher, and are pushing for graduate school or doctorate degrees. "These students are capable of doing in-depth research and in-depth studies. These students want more than the average bear.. .they want answers to tough questions," Sanchez said. These tough questions are answered within the classroom, but not your typical lecture-style classroom. It's a seminar-style classroom that allows Honours students the opportunity to interact with the faculty members, one-on-one, day in and day out. "The faculty member is primarily a facilitator for the class. They'll vending machine throw out a concept, and then the students will provide the feedback," Sanchez said. "Seminar style is morediscussion-oriented than lecture style. It helps these bright and talented young people experience different educational learning styles and provides more interaction," Sanchez said. Having experienced seminar style, Smith said, "It's moreone-on-one. I feel like I get a better education, because it's not so much busy work. It's more real thinking." But thinking is not all Honours students do, Smith said. "Sure, they can pull the grades. ..but they're also very outgoing people who are involved in various activities." All students interested in joining the Honours Programme or receiving more information about its benefits and requirements may contact Patti Sanchez at 626-7336 "Anyone is welcome. ..that's what we encourage," Smith said. 1 fl r3 I y 3 c |