What do food justice and Interstate 81 in Syracuse have to do with math? Explore this and other local social justice questions at a unique and interactive experience—featuring music, food, spoken word, and art—that will bring together Syracuse Central School District (SCSD) and Syracuse University students, teachers, coaches, researchers, and other education stakeholders.
“A Sense of Place: Using Math to Engage in Our Communities” takes place on May 7, 2022, starting at noon at Café Sankofa, 2323 South Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13205.
This community-engaged event is an opportunity for attendees to learn how math is being used to address local issues, such as highway revitalization and food justice. The event will illustrate how students are relating to mathematics by applying it to life around them through connected experiences that encourage mathematical discussions, collaborative work, and social engagement. These experiences are giving students a coherent picture of what it means to learn and do mathematics beyond the classroom.
The event kicks off at noon with music by DJ Dubl 6 and interactive information stations hosted by local teachers and students, all fueled by “Filipino fusion food” offered by food truck vendor Oompa Loompyas.
At 12:30 p.m., Syracuse City School District students will present spoken word performances, headlined by multi-genre artist Cedric T. Bolton (aka Blackman Preach). From 1 p.m., attendees can experience hands-on social justice math activities, enjoy Skippy’s ice cream, and listen to another set by DJ Dubl 6.
“A Sense of Place” is organized by the Antiracist Algebra Coalition, which connects Syracuse community members and education stakeholders as a way to explore the intersection of antiracism and students’ success in algebra.
Event sponsors are the Central New York Humanities Corridor, The Engaged Humanities Network, and Syracuse University’s College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, and Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (The SOURCE).
For more information, contact Nicole Fonger, Assistant Professor, Syracuse University School of Education and College of Arts and Sciences, at nfonger@syr.edu or 315.443.1581.