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Liberty Elementary School

Springfield, MA
Grant: $19,120

The Liberty School pilot project was a coordinated effort between the faculty, Mass Mutual employees, the Springfield School District's Mathematics and Technology & Research Departments, and Springfield School Volunteers, Inc. Focusing on fourth grade students, this program had three primary objectives: enhance the children's comprehension of mathematical concepts, deepen their appreciation of mathematics, and broaden their practical application of mathematics and logical thought processes. Additionally, the project was designed to increase student's critical thinking/logical skills for real world problem solving through participation in math projects.
Students were introduced to fun activities based on mathematics principles and designed to illustrate those principles as well as identifying practical applications. Students focused on theoretical and practical application of selected mathematical and computer-programming concepts such as probability, leading to participation in a math fair. In addition, the students participated in field trips to Mass Mutual, the Springfield Science and Technology School and the Boston Science Museum.

This program has become self-sustaining and continues to be offered to the 4th grade students. Although the school presently lacks computer facilities, the children have gained exposure to this technology through their field trips. In three years, a new school will be built with a fully equipped computer lab and the faculty plans to incorporate many of the lesson plans learned on the field trips.