Outreach Projects

Our faculty and students are involved in a wide range of projects engaging the local community and beyond.

VERSEIM-REU

The Visiting and Early Scholars’ Experiences in Mathematics REU program (VERSEIM-REU) is an intensive ten-week summer research program in applied and pure mathematics at Tufts University sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

VERSEIM-REU website

Somerville Mathematics Fund

The Somerville Mathematics Fund, an affiliate of Dollars for Scholars, was chartered in September 2000 to celebrate and encourage achievement in mathematics in the city of Somerville, Massachusetts. The Fund offers scholarships to students who went to high school in Somerville and go on to major in STEM subjects in college, as well as grants of up to $500 for local teachers working on math enrichment projects.

The Fund also sponsors a range of local events, particularly the popular annual ScrapHeap Showdown, loosely modeled on Junkyard Wars: we set a problem, and high school students, in teams of three or so, get about 3 hours to solve it, using a pile of junk we bring in and deposit on the floor. In 2010, the problem was a Rube Goldberg-type machine; another year, it was to build a bridge out of paper and tape (no duct tape—and the winning bridge held 40 pounds!); and another year, it was to build a windmill.

Math Representatives: Zbigniew NiteckiZachary Faubion

Somerville Fund website 

MA in Teaching

The Education Department offers a Masters of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree for future teachers at the Elementary level and at the Middle/High School level. Faculty from our department, like Professors Quinto and Ruane, have a history of helping out with the mathematics part of the curriculum, such as by observing and advising student teachers.

Math Representatives: Todd Quinto, Kim Ruane

MA in Teaching website

Canada/USA Mathcamp

Canada/USA Mathcamp is a 5-week summer program for some of the most talented high school mathematicians in North America --- and, increasingly, from overseas as well. Its location changes yearly, rotating through different college campuses. Students get to see mathematics at a high level and surrounded by a lively, fun, incredibly geeky community. Mathcamp is administered by the Mathematics Foundation of America, for which Assistant Professor Moon Duchin serves on the Board of Directors-- she is also a regular visitor and lecturer at camp.

Math Representative:  Moon Duchin

Mathcamp website