Carter
Other team members: Yasmin | Jiayun | Calen | Alicia | Tiffany
What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not in school?
My favorite thing to do when I am not in school is to do theater. Acting is one thing I enjoy very much and I wish to make a career out of it
Who is your hero? Why?
One of my heroes is Martin Luther King, because he was a man who was put down in his society but rose above it.
What careers are you interested in pursuing?
I am interested in going into the arts and mathematics (technology). Some day I would like one of these three pairs of jobs: Broadway actor and engineer, math and drama teacher, or electrician with a small community theatre. The real dream is to go on Broadway with a couple small movies and when I reach middle age to become a math teacher who does the drama program.
What surprised you about the GTM challenges?
How the real life situations were so related to the problems that we do in school everyday.
What do you really think about algebra?
I think algebra is a needed tool in everyday life. And I hope that everyone can get a grasp of it.
What advice do you have for students who are struggling with math?
Always look for the logic in the problem and try to relate it to something you do understand.
Yasmin
Other team members: Carter | Jiayun | Calen | Alicia | Tiffany
What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not in school?
When I’m not in school, I like to hang out with my family and friends and update my Facebook page.
Who is your hero? Why?
My hero is my grandmother. I didn’t get the chance to meet her, but I’ve heard only great things about her and hope to follow in her footsteps and accomplish as much as she did.
What careers are you interested in pursuing?
I’m currently looking into colleges with strong psychology, biology, and teaching programs. I’m still torn, but I will more than likely go to medical school and become a psychiatrist.
What surprised you about the GTM challenges?
I was surprised that I was not given all of the challenges beforehand. It made things a lot more interesting.
What do you really think about algebra?
I loved algebra. It’s been one of my favorite classes in school.
What advice do you have for students who are struggling with math?
Try your best and don’t give up! I had to get math tutoring and it helped a lot. Math takes a lot of studying for people who aren’t naturally good at it.
Jiayun
Other team members: Carter | Yasmin | Calen | Alicia | Tiffany
What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not in school?
Key Club, debate, read, run.
Who is your hero? Why?
Einstein is one of my heroes because he continued to pursue his studies even after many others had rejected his findings. He persevered and later discovered one of the most groundbreaking theories in all of physics.
What careers are you interested in pursuing?
I hope to become a doctor, maybe a psychiatrist or neurologist.
What surprised you about the GTM challenges?
I was surprised to see the real world applications of math. Even though textbooks often try to cite applications, they are not comparable to meeting the actual people who are now working with the solution.
What do you really think about algebra?
It is really the basis of all math. Without algebra, we cannot begin to explore more advanced techniques or apply them to real life situations.
What advice do you have for students who are struggling with math?
Try to think logically about the problem and reason through it.
Calen
Other team members: Carter | Yasmin | Jiayun | Alicia | Tiffany
What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not in school?
When I’m not in school, I prefer to hang out with my friends more than anything else. We go to the movies, play basketball, and very often end our week with a long night of playing Xbox 360. I am a “Youtube fiend” and love to watch videos of people online.
Who is your hero? Why?
My heroes are my parents. Both my parents have gone through separate struggles throughout their life. As single parents they both have worked very hard to make an honest living for themselves and me. Today, people proving themselves to do the right thing when the time comes defines the meaning of a hero. What really makes them my heroes is that no matter how many times they fall, they get right back up, fighting all the way. Different decisions had life-changing results for both of them and I honestly would love to thank them for giving me the life I have now.
What careers are you interested in pursuing?
I haven’t yet decided on what I want to do with my life. There are many careers that I am personally interested in, and I have thought about pursuing a career in journalism, sports announcer or even a career dealing with criminal science.
What surprised you about the GTM challenges?
What really surprised me was how math really relates to the challenges people face while working. The question “when will I ever need this in life?” was honestly answered during these trials. Whether you record music, create clothing, or make video games, math is needed in every aspect of everyday life.
What do you really think of algebra?
Subjects are what you make them, and new experiences add to the excitement. Algebra has proven to be a challenge for me at times, but once you get into it, you can truly experience how fun it is.
What advice do you have for students who are struggling with math?
If you are struggling in math class, it’s ok to ask for help from friends, parents, and tutors. Sometimes it might seem a little bit embarrassing, but it’s more embarrassing to get an F because you didn’t want to get help, than an A or a B because you got extra help.
Alicia
Other team members: Carter | Yasmin | Jiayun | Calen | Tiffany
What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not in school?
I love baking, horseback riding, and laughing.
Who is your hero? Why?
One of my heroes is my 9th grade math teacher, Mr. Young. He showed me the mathematical techniques that I will use for a lifetime, while also teaching me that you can work hard and still have fun.
What careers are you interested in pursuing?
When I get older, I really want to combine my love for math and animals by becoming a veterinarian.
What surprised you about the GTM challenges?
There really is math everywhere. Applying the math we learn in school to real life situations really adds to the learning experience, and makes these concepts a lot more understandable.
What do you really think about algebra?
I love algebra. It’s such a necessary part of everyday life, and there’s definitely something satisfying about getting a problem right.
What advice do you have for students who are struggling with math?
There are many different ways to solve a math problem. Use what you know and try using different methods to figure it out.
Tiffany
Other team members: Carter | Yasmin | Jiayun | Calen | Alicia
What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not in school?
I love to go to Central Park and play some volleyball on the outdoor courts and frisbee on the great lawn.
Who is your hero? Why?
My hero is Elizabeth Eckford from Little Rock Nine, who, as an eleven-year old black girl, was determined to enter an all-white school building to receive her education after the passing of Brown v. Board of Ed (1954).
What careers are you interested in pursuing?
I’m interested in studying medicine and working in that field as either an emergency doctor or surgeon.
What surprised you about the GTM challenges?
I was surprised at how challenging the GTM challenges were because people all over the world encounter algebraic challenges like we’ve seen, which demonstrates that it is so important to have a great fundamental understanding of algebra for life!
What do you really think about algebra?
I love algebra! It’s fun and easy to get good at after practicing for a bit.
What advice do you have for students who are struggling with math?
In algebra, and math in general, practice makes perfect. If you keep working at it, you won’t struggle any longer.
