First-Year Math & Stats in Canada

FYMSiC News

Announcements

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! 🙂

ជំរាបសួរ FYMSiC! 🙂

Check out these two (2) great job opportunities available at University of Lethbridge, thanks to our dear FYMSiC friend, Sean Fitzpatrick (Lethbridge), passing along the goodness!

We have two tenure-track positions open in our department!

One is in statistics, and the other is in mathematics, with a preference for applied mathematics.

The turnaround on these is a little tight — it says we’ll start reviewing applications November 22nd — but I was told we’ve asked for this to be extended.

https://uleth.peopleadmin.ca/postings/8746

https://uleth.peopleadmin.ca/postings/8742

Bon chance, FYMSiC! 🙂

YO FYMSiC! 🙂

Another great math ed event to share thanks to Luke Tunstall (Trinity University).

C-H-E-C-K I-T O-U-T !!!

Dear colleagues,

The planning group for the 2025 Annual Meeting of the National Numeracy Network—to be held November 7-9 in San Antonio, TX—is excited to announce the schedule for the gathering. The accompanying program (which includes abstracts) is available here. 

With a wide variety of talks and two wonderful keynotes, this meeting is one you don’t want to miss, so register today! Note that full remote participation is available, and a program containing Zoom links will be shared with registrants in October.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

The NNN 2025 Annual Meeting planning group

Andie Burazin, Weixing Ford, Marc Issacson, Luke Tunstall

Love numbers, FYMSiC! 🙂

Bonjour FYMSiC! 🙂

A great way to participate at the 2025 CMS MathEd Meeting (Online)! Check it out below!

The 2025 CMS MathEd Meeting (Online) is happening again (for the third time!) thanks to the success of the inaugural meeting. Complementing the in-person mathematics education sessions at the Summer and Winter CMS meetings, the 2025 CMS MathEd Meeting (Online) will feature fabulous plenary talks and fantastic presentations on a variety of themes in mathematics education, as well as provide ample time for comments and discussion. This mathematics education meeting (online) will take place over two days and prior to the in-person CMS Winter meeting.

The organization and the registration for this event will be handled by the CMS. The event is FREE for anyone wishing to attend. 

The 2025 CMS MathEd Meeting (Online) is scheduled for Friday, November 28th, 2025, (from 17:00 EST to 20:00 EST), and Saturday, November 29th, 2025, (from 11:00 EST to 15:00 EST). Information about the meeting schedule will posted on a later date. 

Two fantastic keynote speakers !!!

Daniel Ansari from Western University

Jennifer Hyndman from University of Northern British Columbia

Call for CMS MathEd Meeting (Online) Presentation Proposals

The Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS) welcomes and invites education presentation proposals for its event, the 2025 CMS MathEd Meeting (Online) from 

Friday, November 28th, 2025, (from 17:00 EST to 20:00 EST), and 

Saturday, November 29th, 2025, (from 11:00 EST to 15:00 EST)

For this meeting, we will accept proposals on any theme in mathematics education.

Education presentation proposals will be selected by the CMS Meeting Education Session Committee, which will also schedule the accepted sessions, in communication with their proposer(s).​

Proposals should include: 

(1) Names, affiliations, and contact information of the presenter(s). This is a fantastic opportunity for early career researchers and practitioners to propose presentations.

(2) A title and brief abstract of the presentation. 

All presentations will be of the standard CMS length: 20-minute presentations + 5-10 minute Q&A.

The deadline for the presentation proposals is October 2nd, 2025. There is a limited number of presentation spots. Preferences will be given to early submissions. 

Please fill out the following Google form found on the 2025 CMS MathEd (Online) Meeting link: https://winter25.cms.math.ca/mathedonline

SHINE ON, YOU CRAZY FYMSiC! 🙂

Hi Hi Hi FYMSiC! 🙂

Passing along information to volunteer at an event! See below!

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Call for volunteer judges and participants for SCUDEM X 2025.

SIMIODE celebrates its tenth anniversary SIMIODE Challenge Using Differential Equations

SCUDEM X 2025 — 18 October 2025 – 11 November 2025

See complete details at SCUDEM  with all previous problems posed, student results,

and Outstanding team videos from all past SCUDEM Events.

Three-member student teams (high school, home school, and undergraduate) are to work on one of three model choices, for example from last year, in engineering/physics, chemistry/life sciences, or social sciences/humanities and produce a ten-minute video of their modeling efforts. 

FREE MatLab license for registered teams/coaches and tutorial support from MathWorks.

We are in need of volunteer Judges and know judges will find it rewarding to see what these talented students produce.

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Karma is a thing, FYMSiC! 🙂

Hello FYMSiC! 🙂

Get involved by this opportunity! See below.

Dear Colleagues,

We hope this email finds you well. We are excited to invite you to an upcoming conference focused on innovative approaches to teaching mathematics, which will take place on December 10, 2025, at the Fields Institute (online). This event aims to bring together educators, mathematicians, and researchers who are passionate about advancing the ways mathematics is taught and learned.

The conference will feature a series of insightful talks on topics such as integrating technology into math education and interdisciplinary teaching methods. Given your interest and expertise in the field, we believe your participation would be greatly valued. Additionally, we kindly ask if you could forward this invitation to any colleagues, fellow educators, or mathematicians who share a passion for enhancing math education. We aim to create a collaborative environment that encourages the exchange of ideas and best practices.

Please find attached the poster and information on registration/submitting abstracts.

http://www.fields.utoronto.ca/activities/25-26/ada-lovelace-conference

We would be honored to have you join us for this important discussion.

Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to the possibility of welcoming you to the conference. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us directly at   s.kirusheva@utoronto.ca.

 Warm regards,

Snezhana Kirusheva, UTM
Marina Tvalavadze, UTM
Dan Wolczuk, WU

Participate, 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 …

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:

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

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