About MathCEP
MathCEP is dedicated to educational outreach. Our mission is to develop educational materials and programs for mathematics students and instructors at all levels. We interact with the broader mathematical community in a variety of ways, including:
- Professional development and resources for instructors,
- Enrichment and outreach programs for students,
- Development of educational materials, curriculum and technology, and
- Involvement in educational scholarship.
MathCEP faculty and staff are strong advocates for open educational resources and for diversity and equity throughout mathematics.
History
The history of MathCEP stretches back four decades. Under the leadership of Professor Harvey Keynes, the mathematics department formed the Office of Special Projects (OSS) to run the University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program (UMTYMP). Over the course of the 1980’s and 1990’s, OSS added enrichment programs for K-12 students and professional development programs for in-service teachers. The center was rebranded the Institute of Technology Center for Educational Programs (ITCEP) in the 1990s. In 2008 we became the School of Mathematics Center for Educational Programs (MathCEP).
Expansion
Throughout all of the name changes, our center has always been very active in programs for K-12 students and teachers. To support these programs, MathCEP has hired postdocs with a teaching emphasis, and worked closely with the department's MS in Math/MathEd program.
At the same time, faculty members such as Mike Weimerskirch and Duane Nykamp have been revamping the department's undergraduate courses in algebra, precalculus and calculus for biology students, often working on the same kinds of projects that UMTYMP faculty were involved in. Thus MathCEP was expanded in 2017 to include all of these projects, and create one umbrella organization in the department that can serve the college, state and region as a leader in mathematics education.
The new organization is led by three Directors who focus on different projects, but collaborate closely with each other and the MathCEP staff as we work to fulfill our mission. See our People page for more information about faculty and staff.
MathCEP wins National Award
In recognition of our programs and service to the community, MathCEP received the 2018 Award for an Exemplary Program from the American Mathematical Society. Our faculty and staff are very grateful for this honor. Read the citation and this article for more details.
