Anja S. Greer Conference 2025 Course Offerings
Morning Class – 8:00 a.m.
01 – Precalculus Through Labs and Applications
Leader: Diana Davis, Phillips Exeter Academy
In this course we will do labs and work on applied problems that gently and relentlessly introduce students to the ideas of calculus. We will do hands-on labs and collect data, and then figure out what types of functions best describe them (exponential growth! exponential decay!). We will also work on applied problems that secretly and painlessly introduce the ideas of calculus when you’re least expecting it (shorter and shorter! smaller and smaller!). These investigations bring vigor and delight to the precalculus curriculum.
02 – Finding, and Using, Real World Data to Deepen Understanding and Student Interest
Leader: Thomas Hill, Brewster Academy
Where can we direct students to find data that they are interested in? How can we use that data to deepen students’ understanding of mathematics? How do we use data to describe global trends? We will look at projects that use linear, quadratic, and exponential modeling to extrapolate current trends. Using the United Nations global goals as pillars to guide us, we will look at the 17 global goals to see how students can use them in the classroom. You will have time to collaborate with peers to create your own projects or lesson plans around world issues.
Late Morning Class – 10:30 a.m.
03 – From Problems to Power: Math for Real-Life Skills and Social Change
Leader: Theo Wells, Skew the Script
This course empowers high school math teachers with practical strategies to engage and uplift all students. Teachers will learn moves like building trust and encouraging risk-taking, connecting math to current events, and teaching critical thinking through real-world data. By week’s end, teachers will leave with tools to make math a powerful, relevant force for equity and academic growth.
04 – Exeter Math 1: A Student-Centered Problem-Based Approach to Algebra 1
Leader: Julie Van Wright, Phillips Exeter Academy
We’ll look at problems from the Exeter Math 1 materials to experience problem solving through a Harkness discussion-based format, with the goal of building content with students, rather than for them. We’ll explore ways to empower students to discover and apply mathematical techniques while fostering a thinking classroom culture where students are excited to “dig in”. Our content spans Algebra 1 topics, including linear relationships, inequalities, absolute value, quadratics, and a variety of “word” problems. Come see what Exeter Math is all about, at this introductory level!
05 – Geometric FUN!
Leader: Dan Butler, Fulton Science Academy
Geometry is the foundational course for all the mathematics we will ever learn. Every concept we teach has its roots in geometry, and a good understanding of geometry makes all the rest of mathematics possible. In this course we will explore problems that intrigue the mind and help our students to become better problem solvers. We will look at pure geometry as well as applications of geometry. We will use everything at our disposal such as computers, measuring tools, calculators, soap bubbles, and anything else we can think of to improve our understanding of geometry. We will make math FUN!!!
06 – A Lab Approach to Calculus
Leader: Jess Emory, Phillips Exeter Academy
This course will cover highlights from a year-long calculus class that merges lab investigations with a problem-based curriculum. This program emphasizes qualitative approaches to problem-solving more than symbolic solutions with algebra, while also incorporating writing for understanding, collaboration, and focused spiraling of topics. Some of the labs focus on foundational aspects of calculus, while others delve into calculus-based models (income inequality, probability distributions, the “Tilt-a-Whirl”, skydiving). Participants will need to bring a tablet or laptop computer.
07 – Inquiry Adventures: Journey into the Joy of Recreational Mathematics
Leader: Ron Lancaster, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Discover the joy of recreational mathematics through patterns, games, puzzles, magic tricks, origami, and fascinating curiosities! In this course, you’ll learn effective strategies to weave these engaging elements into your teaching, fostering inquiry and enriching classroom discussions. Participants will explore how to use recreational math as interactive warm-ups and collaborative activities, deepening students’ understanding of fundamental concepts. Our mission is to inspire a lifelong love for mathematics through exploration, proving that anyone can enjoy the wonders of math at any age!
08 – Teaching a Discussion-Based Math Course
Leader: Diana Davis, Phillips Exeter Academy
Discussion-based courses are so wonderful for student engagement and understanding, but they’re challenging to teach well, especially the first time. In this course, you’ll learn to create a classroom environment that fosters student discussions, through the experience of being a student yourself, discussing how it went, and learning from the experience. We’ll watch videos of successful classes in action, and practice leading the class and getting feedback. We’ll also discuss ways to adapt the method to all kinds of classes — big, small, basic, advanced, full-class, small groups, and so on.
09 – Activities to Develop a Growth Mindset in our Students (and Ourselves)
Leader: Rebecca Courter, Charlotte Lain School
Research about the positive effect of teaching students about their metacognition and developing a growth mindset is well established, so as math teachers, how do we intentionally discuss those topics in class? Join this course to find out! You will experience a variety of (45 minutes or less) class activities and assignments about neural plasticity, metacognition, developing a growth mindset, and effective learning strategies. The goal is to help our struggling students believe they are capable, and help our overachieving students welcome struggles instead of being derailed by them.
10 – Shape Shifters: Geometry in the Age of 3D Design
Leader: Greta Mills, The Greene School, West Palm Beach, Florida
How can modern tools like 3D printing and dynamic software reshape our understanding of classical geometry? This course blends traditional geometric principles with technology, moving beyond paper-and-pencil calculations to hands-on learning. Participants will use dynamic geometry software to visualize and manipulate shapes in real time. In the Exeter Design Lab, we’ll create 3D printed models to explore volume, surface area, the Pythagorean Theorem, and more, providing tangible tools for deeper understanding and engagement with key geometric concepts.
11 – Where to Start with Harkness: Modify Your Existing Curriculum to Create a Discussion-Based Classroom
Leader: Thomas Hill, Brewster Academy
In this course, we will look at which concepts are the pillars of discussion classrooms and how you can use those with your existing curriculum. We will build problem sets for your students to use with what you already teach. You will leave the week with a framework on how to build up your existing curriculum to include discussion and problem-based learning approaches and have created a problem-based unit.
12 – Fun and Interesting Math Activities that Engage Students
Leader: Rebecca Courter, Charlotte Lain School
What can we do on a day that is not a normal teaching day? This course will illustrate several activities that can be used as a class warm-up, an enrichment activity, an interesting application, and a way to encourage mathematical imagination. These include patterns, brain teasers, games, hexaflexagons, math magic tricks, Pascal’s Triangle, combinatorics, origami, Moebius strips, math challenges, and curiosities. These activities apply to both high school and middle school classes.