Applied Math Project-Seattle (AMP-S)

The Applied Math Project – Seattle’s (AMP-S) Transition Math Project
The Applied Math Project – Seattle (AMP-S) launched its TMP Phase II project in 2006 to expand the connections between traditional and applied mathematics in the Seattle School District.  Since its inception, this partnership has worked diligently to smooth the transition for high school students who take meaningful, applied mathematics courses into career-technical education (CTE) pathways, particularly in construction.  AMP-S believes that contextual learning offers a concrete way of using mathematical principles for students who may not succeed in a traditional classroom setting, without lowering rigor. The students who do well in applied math courses in high school often go on to post-secondary workforce training programs which require advanced post-secondary math.  AMP-S’s cross-sector partners developed a learning community to build lessons aligned with the college readiness standards (CRS), and continue to assess these lessons.  As a result, their efforts will be disseminated statewide through the Washington Applied Math Council’s website.

AMP- S Partners
The Applied Math Project – Seattle’s partners include the Washington Applied Math Council, Seattle Public Schools, and the Seattle Community College District.

TMP Accomplishments
AMP-S established a learning community that includes traditional high school math departments, applied math teachers, and college math faculty who work in conjunction with workforce training programs.  This community has developed relevant lessons in applied mathematics that align with the CRS.  Further, they have developed a video library of these lessons used to conduct joint lesson studies, ensuring the lessons are continually improved. 

AMP-S is working with the Washington Applied Math Council (WAMC) to include a directory of their lessons on the WAMC website. AMP-S hopes to include a blog that will allow teachers an online venue to discuss and enhance these lessons, as well as disseminate local applied math work aligned with the CRS.

AMP-S has participated in the Pierce County Careers Connection’s (PC3) Math/CTE yearlong workshop series, which has allowed its team members flexibility to develop products that are meaningful to them, and has fostered their cross-sector relationships.  AMP-S, PC3 and the Whatcom Math Project are interested in exploring ways to further connect their projects, including efforts to disseminate applied math products and outreach across their regions in a non-duplicative manner.

Contact: Andrea Levy alevy@sccd.ctc.edu

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