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The reconstruction of Interstate-81, lead poisoning issues in Syracuse and the study of mathematics may seem completely separate. But for Syracuse University math and math education professor Nicole Fonger, these topics are inextricably linked.

“When we view mathematics as a tool for modeling the world … we can build on it in a way that students see mathematics and algebra as something that’s experientially real for them,” Fonger said.

Fonger published her debut book, “Making Algebra Meaningful” on Aug. 23. The book includes a combination of written paragraphs and sketch notes, a type of visual notetaking featuring cartoons, symbols and illustrations. The work serves as a manual for teachers on visual thinking and provides advice on diversity and equity in the math field.

Fonger said she hopes her readers can use the book to enhance how they think about teaching in their classrooms. She wants teachers to generate ideas on how to teach algebra differently and translate that to students.

Historically, STEM fields, including mathematics, have been predominantly white and male, SU education professor George Theoharis said. Fonger said this discrepancy begins in schools, and if teachers recognize it, they can better help all students.

“I hope to speak to the role that anti-racism needs to play in algebra education,” Fonger said. “How are we biased and positioning some students as competent and not others? How are our relationships and what’s happening in the classroom, really educating and being responsive to the needs of all learners?”

Emanuel Boutros, a junior engineering major, has worked on this research with Fonger. He was impressed with its content from the beginning.

“It’s new. It’s fresh. It’s not out there,” Boutros said. “Students can benefit from this framework and be more engaged with the content. This idea is revolutionizing.”

Theoharis said the book is an important step in thinking about STEM and math fields differently. He aided and mentored Fonger through the publication process to help her highlight the connection between math and social justice.

“We don’t often talk about how math is a civil rights issue,” Theoharis said. “If certain kids are denied this part of the content, it closes off the world.”

Usually, math is focused on numbers and conceptual ideas. This may be daunting to students, especially those who have been discouraged from participating in math, Theoharis said. Fonger’s work encourages teachers to combine numbers and word problems with comics, symbols and real-world issues, which can open up the subject to students who may otherwise feel isolated by it.

The visual components of the book are critical to Fonger. The cartoons, graphs and charts correlate to specific paragraphs, and she felt strongly that they needed to be read side by side. As page layouts became more complicated throughout the publishing process, Fonger said she had to negotiate and fight for her vision.

“That’s the power of this book,” Theoharis said. “Sketch notes can help people who don’t necessarily feel drawn to math or feel connected mathematically to their school or their math class. It’s a way to bring people in.”

Fonger held a book launch on campus in Bird Library on Thursday. The event included a gallery of her sketch notes and an interactive discussion where Fonger taught guests how to sketch note.

Qiong Wu, a dual Whitman School of Management and Arts and Sciences junior, has done research with Fonger since summer 2023 and attended the event to show their support. They said they were impressed by the work they had seen from her and were eager to see how she would present it.

For Fonger, the release of the book was both surreal and slightly uncomfortable. She felt like she was handing her personal journal to the masses. However, the awards and recognition she received from the university gave her the confidence boost she needed to feel comfortable enough to publish the book.

“It was really important for me professionally that my work was being acknowledged as novel,” Fonger said. “I need to elevate this work from sketches that live in notebooks in my drawers into something that other people can engage with as well.”

Disclaimer: Qiong Wu has previously written for The Daily Orange as a contributing writer. They did not influence the editorial content of this article.

Published on September 16, 2024 at 11:14 pm

ehrosen@syr.edu