MAT 115 Math for Liberal Arts: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

Taught by Axel Brandt

Appreciation of mathematical ideas applied to problems from the real world; scheduling, voting schemes, apportionment, descriptive statistics, shape and symmetry, fractals, and population growth. For students of the liberal arts.

"The Philanthropy Project provides students meaningful opportunity for a real-world example for implementing course topics including matching algorithms for group formation, basic data visualization for analyzing financial data of applicants, and alternative voting methods for determining a recipient."

- Professor Axel Brandt

Support Provided By:

Awards by this Class:

$2,000 to Brighton Center, Inc.

Award Details

Reflections from Professor Brandt

The course covers a wide range of mathematical topics intended to expand student’s exposure to the world of mathematics; topics include cryptography, game theory, gerrymandering, connections to biology and epidemiology. The Philanthropy Project provides students meaningful opportunity for a real-world example for implementing course topics including matching algorithms for group formation, basic data visualization for analyzing financial data of applicants, and alternative voting methods for determining a recipient.

Reflections from Students

Responses from various MAT 115 students:

"I didn't know what to expect or how I'd feel touring this organization, but once we went in, and talked to real humans who were passionate about what they were doing, it got me interested. Their passion got me excited, and I wanted to help them and get them the money from our class. They even talked about having events at their building that could have live music. As a Jazz guitar major, it got me to think that I actually have something to offer, and something that I can use my own passion for and put to use in places maybe I wouldn't expect."

"I have learned that there are organizations out there for everything, for so many people that have less than. There are a lot of kids that are at a disadvantage in the northern Kentucky region whether they have a disability or a bad home life, etc. People are not just sitting around and doing nothing. And people are actually doing a lot of different things in the community. This experience makes me appreciate nonprofits more than before and I am more likely to donate. For example when stores or websites ask to round up or organizations like these, I will start saying yes rather than passing."

"By working with nonprofits to do this project I've increased my love for civic engagement. I feel good about the Mayerson project since it helps others. It's something that I want to continue to do and this project made me realize that! Philanthropy should be apart of everybody's life; it opens up a whole new perspective on the way other people live and why communities should work together."

Recipient: Brighton Center

The Brighton Center seeks to create opportunities for individuals and families to reach self-sufficiency through family support services, education, employment, and leadership. This semester’s philanthropy project will fund a Dance and Drum program for children ages 5-12 to help them learn self-awareness, listening skills, coordination of breath and movement, cooperation, and patience. It will also provide a valuable channel for intense emotions and teaches containment of impulses that would otherwise become disruptive in a school setting.

Dellisa Ford-Edwards, Early Education and Parenting Department Director of Brighton Center:

"I enjoyed sharing information about our Agency and our Early Education programs. Their passion for this project was very sincere as they themselves have benefited from music activities that helped them overcome life situations and release emotions. Hearing their stories were powerful."

For more information, https://www.brightoncenter.com/

MAT 115 Math for Liberal Arts

Support Provided By:

Awards by this Class:

Award Details

Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement