Math

History of Math

By Samantha Kendrick

  • New York Mathematical Society

    Founded and became a national organization in 1894 and changed its name to the American Mathematical Society which still exists today and serves many functions for advancing mathematics and mathematical research in the United States.

  • David Hilbert

    Address to the International Congress of Mathematicians in Paris was given to mathematicians, given by a mathematician, or given about mathematics. Hilbert outlined 23 major mathematical problems to be studied in the coming century.

  • Solar-Lunar calander

    First solar-lunar calendars in Egypt and Mesopotamia in 2000 BC

  • International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI) Founded

    international organisation with a focus on mathematics education. ICMI was founded in 1908 at the International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) in Rome.

  • Mathematical Association of America

    provided a forum for educators, students, professionals, and math enthusiasts to share ideas, keep abreast of developments in the mathematical community, enhance their careers, and make new friends. Today, more than 25,000 individuals and institutions take advantage of the multitude of benefits that MAA membership provides.

  • The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)

    The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) was founded, largely at the instigation of the MAA. The first NCTM president, C. M. Austin, made it clear that the organization would "keep the values and interests of mathematics before the educational world" and he urged that "curriculum studies and reforms and adjustments come from the teachers of mathematics rather than from the educational reformers."

  • Jean Piaget

    first researcher to make systematic studies of how children learn. His main work was published in 1923, 1924 and 1948. Among his contributions is an understanding of different developmental levels, the basis for schemas to "make and remake their own reality", and the importance of concrete manipulatives.

  • Foundations of Method Published

    Became a standard text for teacher education courses across the country.

  • Standard Mathematical Tables

    First edition of “Standard Mathematical Tables” is published by the Chemical Rubber Corporation in 1931. Affectionately referred to as “the CRC,” later editions of the book would become a standard reference in assisting with pencil and paper calculations.

  • Educational Testing Service Charted - Beginning of SAT

  • School Mathematics Study Group (SMSG)

    It created junior and senior high school math programs and eventually elementary school curricula as well.

  • New Math

    New Math emphasized mathematical structure through abstract concepts like set theory and number bases other than 10.

  • An Agenda for Action Published

    National Council of Teachers of Mathematics described the shape that school mathematics programs should take. That publication outlined ten recommendations for K-12 mathematics programs, focusing on the fundamental need of students to learn how to solve problems.

  • Release of Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics

    The NCTM launche a major reform, this movement calls for abandoning curricula that promotes thinking about mathematics as a rigid system of externally dictated rules governed by standards of accuracy, speed, and memory.

  • Smart Board

    SMART introduced the first SMART Board interactive whiteboard in 1991. It was the first interactive whiteboard to provide touch control of computer applications and annotation over standard Microsoft Windows applications. The SMART Board interactive whiteboard, connected to an LCD panel and a computer, introduced the world to interactive technology in classrooms.

  • President Bush address to Mathematics Panel

    The National Mathematics Advisory Panel was convened by President Bush in April 2006 to address concerns that many of today's students lack the math know-how needed to become tomorrow's engineers and scientists. The 24-member panel of mathematicians and education experts announced recommendations to improve instruction and make better textbooks and even called on researchers to find ways to combat "mathematics anxiety."

  • Barack Obama is elected the 44th President of the United States.

    Barack Obama defeats John McCain and is elected the 44th President of the United States. Substantial changes in the No Child Left Behind Act are expected in early 2009.