Math On-A-Stick

Jessica Breur

Mathematics Instructional Coach

Mounds View Schools

It’s the last day before our winter holiday break and the first day that I have honestly been chilled as I walked outside to my car.  As I wish for warmer weather, I know I shouldn’t. It has been an absolutely glorious fall in Minnesota, my mind drifts back to the days when the school year was just starting and the days were warm.  Those of you from Minnesota probably understand that for most Minnesotans the last “official” summer event is the Minnesota State Fair.  Those of you not from Minnesota are probably more like me—wondering what all the hype is about.  

The fair lasts for 12 days.  People come from all over and eat almost everything on a stick.  I have heard of people attending the fair multiple days and from the time the gates opened until they closed.  Even if I thought my hardest, I just couldn’t ever imagine how something like a State Fair could be so special to so many people.  Well, my mindset changed this summer.  

I attended the fair.  I did not eat anything on a stick.  I did, however, experience Math On-A-Stick, and it was amazing.

Math On-A-Stick was a new addition to the Minnesota State Fair in 2015.  I heard about Math On-A-Stick through Twitter and the math teachers I collaborate with outside of my school district.  It sounded interesting, I needed a reason to go to the fair, I got a free ticket for volunteering, and what a great way to kick off a new school year – sharing my passion for mathematics with kids and their families.  While this would have been enough, I didn’t want to go at it alone.  

I am currently a mathematics instructional coach for the Mounds View Schools, so I decided to invite all of the math teachers who I am lucky enough to work with.  I wrote an e-mail about how great this experience was going to be; even though my knowledge of it was fairly limited, and found others were just as intrigued as I was.   In the end, I was able to attend the Minnesota State Fair with 6 teachers who teach with me.

Attending Math On-A-Stick and the state fair with a group of math teachers from my district was wonderful for so many reasons.  All of us had not seen each other, together, since last June.  This was a way for us to re-connect in a social setting.  Except for one of us, we all work with middle school students.  The Math On-A-Stick activities were geared more towards primary students, but as we experienced the activities we were able to make connections to the middle grade standards and learn about how children make sense of numbers and patterns.  It was mind-blowing to see the beautiful patterns children were creating.  Furthermore, kids were coming to Math On-A-Stick to “relax” and “take a break” – these 2 things do not normally go hand in hand with doing math.  It was joyful to watch.  

Attending the Minnesota State Fair, especially the Math On-A-Stick attraction is at the top of my list for next summer.  Not only do I want to show this spot off to my family and let my kids play, but my goal is to volunteer for multiple days at this attraction with even more teachers from my district.  

Teachers and teacher leaders, I would highly encourage you to set up and experience this event as a group.  It’s easy.  Send an e-mail to generate interest, create a doodle to find a common date and time, and then fill out the volunteer form.  Doing this promotes team building and was such a fun way to reignite for a new school year.  

After all, it is the Great Minnesota Get-Together, so why not get together and do math!