First-Year Math & Stats in Canada

 

FYMSiC News

Announcements

Dear FYMSiC friends,

Save the date !!!

(No, we are not having a baby or getting married or graduation or any other life milestone.)

Our 2026 FYMSiC Conference, University Mathematics and Statistics Courses Under the Microscope is officially happening!

Location: McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Dates: Friday, May 8th — Sunday, May 10th, 2026

We have a fantastic set of speakers!

Keynote speaker: 

  • Carl Wieman (Nobel Prize Recipient)

Plenary lecturers:

  • Daniel Clegg and Saleem Watson (Authors of Stewart’s calculus textbook) 

  • Tyler Holden (University of Toronto Mississauga)

Our goal for the 2026 FYMSiC conference is to spark meaningful, energizing conversations about the teaching and learning of university mathematics – examining the current landscape and imagining the future. Together, we will explore what works and what does not, but can be changed and improved! Be it in the classroom, in assessments, or in supporting the teaching team and students! 

This year’s conference program will feature presentations from our FYMSiC friends on topics such as:

  • Active Learning – your take on engaging students in the classroom

  • Assessments – approaches that work or you want meaningful feedback

  • Hacks – practical tips for running courses, managing assessments, addressing student concerns, and navigating the use of AI

  • Supporting Good Students – resources that inspire deeper learning 

We would love to have our FYMSiC friends actively involved! When you register, we warmly encourage you to sign up for a presentation and share your wonderful ideas.

Also, we have a few fun activities planned, too!

Registration will open mid-January 2026, and we will share all relevant information including accommodation, ways to get to and from McMaster University Main Campus, etc. Keep an eye out for our email.

We truly hope you will join us in May!

It is going to be a wonderful and inspiring time with our FYMSiC friends! 🙂

2026 FYMSiC Conference Organizers

Andie Burazin (UTM); Becca Carter (Queen’s); Lauren DeDieu (Calgary); Miroslav Lovric (McMaster); Lee van Brussel (McMaster)

 
Բարև FYMSiC! 🙂
 
Our FYMSiC friend, Pamini Thangarajah (Mount Royal), is sharing with us two (2) amazing job opportunities. More information is below!
 
Mount Royal University is hiring for two Assistant Professor positions, in Computing, and Mathematics. If you or someone you know is interested in applying, the application deadline is January 31. You can find more information here: 
 
 
 

Good luck, FYMSiC! 🙂

 
YO FYMSiC! 🙂
 
Another great job opportunity thanks to our dear FYMSiC friend, For Leung (UBC). Check it out!
 
 
Happy applying, FYMSiC! 🙂
 
 
안녕하세요 FYMSiC! 🙂
 
Thanks to our dear FYMSiC friend, Diana (Waterloo), we are sharing a great job position! Check it out!
 
We’re looking for someone with experience in accounting (ideally a CPA).
 
All the best, FYMSiC! 🙂

 

Bok FYMSiC! 🙂

Passing along a great math ed event to participate in thanks to Brian Winkel (SIMIODE)! Check it out!

SIMIODE – Systemic Initiative for Modeling Investigations and Opportunities with Differential Equations (https://qubeshub.org/community/groups/simiode) announces its annual online, international conference EXPO 2026, devoted to practical activities for the classroom to build modeling-first differential equations courses.

SIMIODE EXPO 2026, 13-14 February 2026, Noon to 9:00 PM EST USA, will feature parallel sessions and breakout rooms for faculty to share their approaches and materials for participants to come away with clear and valuable activities for their own classroom. Early registration is $75US and registrants can bring a colleague FREE to share the good news of effective uses of modeling. Sessions will focus on immediate use activities participants can bring to their classroom. Individual collegial meetings and conversations are supported by the conference platform, so participants can meet new colleagues and exchange ideas.

See https://qubeshub.org/community/groups/simiode/expo for complete details. SIMIODE is a non-profit community of practice devoted to supporting a modeling-first approach to motivating and teaching differential equations which has received NSF funding.

Differentiate yourself, FYMSiC! 🙂

 

Congratulations

Awards

Karyn McLellan (Assistant Professor, Mount Saint Vincent University) received the 2025 Early Career Teaching Award at Mount Saint Vincent University. Press release: https://www.msvu.ca/three-msvu-professors-celebrated-for-teaching-excellence-2025/

Barbara Forrest and Brian Forrest (Professors, University of Waterloo) received the 2025 Canadian Mathematical Society Adrien Pouliot Award. Press release: https://cms.math.ca/news-item/prof-barbara-forrest-and-dr-brian-forrest-to-receive-the-2025-adrien-pouliot-award/ 

Darja Barr (Senior Instructor, University of Manitoba) received the 2025 Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences Education Prize. Press release: https://www.pims.math.ca/news/2025/04/darja-barr-awarded-2025-pims-education-prize

Jennifer Hyndman (Professor, University of Northern British Columbia) received the 2025 Robert W. Tait Implementing Teaching Excellence Award at University of Northern British Columbia. Press release: https://www.unbc.ca/our-stories/story/reflecting-questions-shape-teaching-and-learning

Congratulations & Thank you

First-Year Math & Stats in Canada (FYMSiC) would like to take a moment to extend a heartfelt congratulations to Veselin Jungić on his retirement.

This milestone is incredibly well-deserved, recognizing his countless and impactful contributions to the advancement in the teaching and learning of mathematics. As a co-founder of FYMSiC, Veselin created a vibrant community of practice built on knowledge-sharing, inspiration, and support.

Your energy and passion will be missed, but you will always have FYMSiC that truly values and appreciates your dedication and efforts. Thank you, Veso. 🙂

 

Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication
to mathematics and statistics education!

For past FYMSiC News, please visit the Past News.

 

FYMSiC Online Teaching Meetups

Online Teaching Meetups are a great virtual space to have a conversation about math and stats teaching and learning with students and educators. Each meetup has a specific theme such as ‘How to teach ‘em math proofs in first-year and beyond?’ or ‘What is CEGEP?’ or ‘Transitioning to university: high school teachers’ experiences and views’, which may be accompanied by a couple of presentations – but for sure, a healthy, therapeutic and cathartic dialogue is always there about teaching and learning!

 

Upcoming meet up …

♦ Thursday, November 13th, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST

Title: Student Project Showcase

Zoom: https://queensu.zoom.us/j/92289411208?pwd=wv8xDOCiwYqvMCAP2tKLbFOAFaZlGc.1

No passcode needed.

Moderator: Becca Carter (Queen’s University)

We have a talented and brave group who will share their wonderful expositions.

 

Assessing the gender diversity in first year math and stats textbooks

Tatiana Krikella, York University 

Growing Shapes, Growing Minds: Exploring Low-Floor, High-Ceiling Mathematics Tasks

Kensey Yaremchuk, University of Alberta

Open education interactive e-book that is hosted on GitHub pages for a stats course at UTM.

Nurlana Alili & Xi Su, University of Toronto Mississauga 

Linear algebra text that addresses math anxiety

Elaine Beltaos-Kerr & Jasper Nice, MacEwan University

 

Most recent meet up …

♦ Thursday, October 23rd, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EDT

Title: It’s Not Just You: Teaching the Red and Black Pilled.

Moderator: Meghan Allen (Mount Allison University)

Abstract:

What do you do when you ask a male student to leave the classroom, and they refuse?  What do you do when a male student screams at you in your office, before storming out and slamming the door behind him? What do you do when your dean calls you in to address a complaint about your course being “too woke?”
 
If these situations seem familiar, you are not alone.  Many of us are seeing an increase in aggressive and toxic masculine behaviour, attempted “gotcha” moments, and extreme disrespect within our classroom, behaviours tied to online Manosphere influencers like Joe Rogan, Jordan Peterson, Andrew Tate, or Nick Fuentes.   These behaviours quickly poison classrooms, especially when many of us, who are tenuously employed or from equity-seeking groups are reluctant to escalate beyond the classroom.  Moreover, universities operating under the business-first model, often reframe the issue as “poor classroom management” rather than student misconduct.
 
In this collaborative discussion, we’ll talk about some of the history and schisms of and in the Manosphere and review some of the behaviours we are seeing.  This will be a space where you can talk about what you’ve seen or experienced, free from unsolicited criticism masking as advice.  Participants are welcome to share what has worked for them, recognizing that all of our environments are different and there is no singular solution that will work for all of us.  
 
There are no easy answers to these problems. But by coming together and addressing these issues openly, we can reclaim some some of our agency, while reminding ourselves at the same time: it’s not just you.
 

 

Save the date …

♦ Coming soon for Winter 2026 . . .

 

For past FYMSiC Online Teaching Meetups & Events and Resources mentioned and discussed, please visit the Meetups page.

 

Other Math & Stats Education Events

♦ November 28th & 29th, 2025 [Online]: 2025 Canadian Mathematical Society MathEd (Online) Meeting

♦ December 5th — 8th, 2025 [In Person]: 2025 Canadian Mathematical Society Winter Meeting, Toronto, Ontario

♦ May 7th — 10th, 2026 [In Person]: 2026 FYMSiC Conference, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario

 

Fields Institute Mathematics Education Forum

Meeting Information: http://www.fields.utoronto.ca/centres/centre-mathematics-education

The Fields Institute Mathematics Education Forum promotes discussion of issues in mathematics education at all levels, with special emphasis on education in the Province of Ontario. The Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences serves as the host of the Forum, but does not determine the agenda or the conclusions of the Forum. It is the goal of the Forum to consider objectively new ideas and diverse views in mathematics education, to facilitate consensus and to promote the enhancement of mathematics education in Ontario and Canada.

The Forum’s mandate is to foster the development of new ideas, methodologies and materials with respect to possible changes that could improve education in mathematics, and to work for the implementation of such changes.

 

University of Waterloo Mathematics Teaching Seminar

The Mathematics Teaching Seminar at the University of Waterloo is a biweekly meeting featuring discussions on undergraduate mathematics teaching. Participants in the seminar include lecturers, research faculty, and graduate students from all four of Waterloo’s mathematics departments and the David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science, as well as faculty members and teaching enthusiasts from around the world. Those who would like to attend are encouraged to reach out to the organizers, Burcu Tuncer Karabina and Chelsea Uggenti. 

 

FYMSiC Newsletter

Current issue …

Issue 17 – July 21st, 2025

Our eighteenth issue is coming out in January 2026. If you wish to contribute to our Newsletter, please visit the Newsletter page.

Please send your contributions in Microsoft Word or LaTex (source) formats to: newsletter@firstyearmath.ca 

For the eighteenth newsletter issue, the contribution deadline is on Friday, January 30th, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. (PST).

 

FYMSiC Latest Share ….

Thanks to Fraser Turner (Mount Allison) for sharing some fantastic Desmo graphs for a Data Science class! 

Hey there, just thought I’d share a few Desmos graphs I’ve found to be useful for my Intro to Data Science class:

Demonstration of different Means (showing how they’re sensitive to large and/or small values):

https://www.desmos.com/calculator/avcnasrcmt

Exploring the Binomial Distribution:

https://www.desmos.com/calculator/egrtrednku

This one is the main one I think is useful, where given a specific probability distribution (3 are pre-defined already), you can run randomized “experiments”:

https://www.desmos.com/calculator/rpab3fzdr1

Note for that one I’d suggest using the auto-scaling feature when switching between the probability density histogram and the frequency histogram:

Feel free to share around in whatever format!  Attribution isn’t necessary.

Sharing is caring, FYMSiC! 🙂

 

FYMSiC Recent Publications

  • Empty 🙁
 
For previously announced Publications, please visit the T&L Resources page.

 

Supported by …

 

             

Thank you! Merci! 

First-Year Math & Stats in Canada (FYMSiC) 🇨🇦



Veselin Jungic

Department of Mathematics
Simon Fraser University
vjungic@sfu.ca

Miroslav Lovric

Department of Mathematics and Statistics
McMaster University
lovric@mcmaster.ca