"Camp" of Mathematical Queeries
"Camp” of Mathematical Queeries is a six week virtual mathematics enrichment program for LGBTQ+ students entering grades 9-12. The enrichment, is designed to tap into the rich funds of knowledge of the LGBTQ+ community and to provide a space in which LGBTQ+ and mathematical identity are affirmed as interconnected entities, central to the teaching and learning of mathematics, in particular. Even the name of the program, “Camp” of Mathematical Queeries, has been designed to tap into the cultural histories of LGBTQ+ individuals, who remain vastly underrepresented in STEM fields. The word “Camp” is in quotation marks to invoke the aesthetic style of camp, which is closely associated with LGBTQ+ culture, especially the practice of drag. Queeries, a queer play on the term query, when used as a verb means to question, often as a form of doubt. In the context of “Camp” the word “Queeries” is meant to honor the traditions of LGBTQ+ individuals that have sought to live their lives authentically by exploring routes and questions outside of the dominant, normative culture. Throughout the six weeks students will engage in activities of mathematical problem posing and problem solving through group worthy mathematical tasks centered on LGBTQ+ culture and history
While LGBTQ+ identity is often relegated to the margins and ignored in subjects like mathematics, "Camp" of Mathematical Queeries was created to resist this normative view. Our program was designed to illustrate that students' LGBTQ+ identities are powerful assets to be utilized in the nurturing of positive mathematical identity. Our program honors the sentiments of Ocean Vuong, who wrote,
...[W]hen I look at my life, I saw that queerness demanded an alternative innovation from me. I had to make alternative routes; it made me curious; it made me ask, 'Is this enough for me?'
Our program taps into LGBTQ+'s folx natural propensity to explore alternative routes and ask questions that others may not. We believe this is exactly the liberatory approach needed to radically transform how we view what counts as mathematics and what it means to be mathematical.
The methods and ideas for "Camp" of Mathematical Queeries has been inspired by a number of sources including (but not limited to!):
- Kai Rands' works in mathematical Inqu[ee]ry
- Alexander S. Moore's work on the "Queer Identity Intersection of Mathematics Education"
- Luis Leyva's work on mathematics as a white, masculine space
- Kyne Santos' (from Canada's Drag Race!) Tiktok math videos.
- Rochelle Gutierrez's work in creative insubordination and rehumanizing mathematics
- Brown and Walter's work on mathematical problem posing
- Lessons from the book High School Mathematics Lessons to Explore, Understand, and Respond to Social Injustice
- The work of programs such as Indigenous STEAM, Girls STEM Institute, Girls who Code, and Love & LiteraTea
Click here for more information about Camp of Mathematical Queeries and to sign up for our inagural summer cohort
"Camp" Schedule
Co-create community agreements & math autobiographies.
Explore Questions: What is mathematics?, Is mathematics invented or discovered? Is mathematics neutral? What makes a question mathematical? What is mathematical problem posing?
LGBTQ+ Centers Geometry Task: Why are LGBTQ+ centers important cultural & community resources? How can we get this community resource to more people? How can we engage in advocacy for the creation of more of these community resources?
Mathematical explorations of student questions posed during the 2nd week of "Camp."
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