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Welcome to the Annual Idaho STEM Conference, presented by ICTM, ISTA, IDEEA, and CSTA! Join us on July 30th and 31st at Mountain View High School in Meridian, Idaho. An optional field trip day will be held on August 1st at various locations.  

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Make it Modeling™: Turn Boring Problems into Engaging Math Experiences
Thursday July 31, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
TBA
Description:
Too many math problems are stripped of curiosity and context—what Dan Meyer calls "pseudo-context" or "paint-by-numbers math." But buried inside these dry textbook tasks is an opportunity to unlock true student engagement through mathematical modeling as defined by the CCSSM: using math to analyze real-world situations, make assumptions, refine strategies, and improve decisions.
In this fast-paced, interactive session, teachers will play Make it Modeling™, a gameshow-style challenge where participants rewrite flat, procedural problems into rich modeling opportunities. We’ll explore the full modeling cycle, emphasize student-driven reasoning, and examine how just a few tweaks, like removing information or inviting questions, can turn a lifeless task into a genuine exploration.
Leave with practical strategies to shift the focus from answer-getting to sense-making, and walk away ready to reimagine your next unit through the lens of modeling.
Speakers
avatar for Josh Watson

Josh Watson

Lewis-Clark State
Josh is in year four as a Regional Mathematics Specialist, where he helps educators make math experiences that are engaging, joyful, and relevant. He taught secondary math in Boise and West Ada school districts and online with IDLA. Now, he partners with educators to reimagine what... Read More →
Thursday July 31, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
TBA
  Math, 6-8, 9-12
  • global Y

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