Adrien Pouliot Award recognizes contribution to Aboriginal mathematics education

OTTAWA — Mark Mac Lean (University of British Columbia) is the recipient of the 2015 Adrien Pouliot Award for his excellence in teaching and contributions to mathematics education in Canada, particularly Aboriginal education.

He has worked with the Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences (PIMS) on several Aboriginal mathematics education projects, including workshops for teachers. Mac Lean co-authored the Small Number series with Veselin Jungic (SFU), which combines basic mathematical ideas with traditional First Nation story-telling. Mac Lean has served as Academic Director for Jump Start, a program that supports international and First Nations students at UBC, since 2011.

“In addition to being an excellent and innovative teacher, and co-creator of the UBC Science One program, Mark MacLean has contributed to the wider community through his involvement in Aboriginal mathematics education and outreach activities for high school students,” said Malgorzata Dubiel, Chair, CMS Education Committee.

Mac Lean was the first member the UBC Department of Mathematics to be promoted to Professor of Teaching, a rank that recognizes outstanding educational leadership and excellence in teaching. He is one of the creators of the interdisciplinary first year science program, Science One. Now in its third decade, Science One has significantly changed the way science is taught at UBC. The program is a model for other innovative interdisciplinary first year programs in Canada and around the world, including Singapore and Sweden.

An early adopter of education technologies, Mac Lean has motivated many of his colleagues to adapt similar methods. He has designed new teaching materials and initiated innovations in assessment and peer mentoring. Mac Lean has served as coordinator of the B.C. Euclid Contest (2006-2011) and the CMS Sun Life Financial Canadian Open Mathematics Challenge (2012-2015). He currently is the Undergraduate Chair in the Department of Mathematics and the President of the UBC Faculty Association.

The Adrien Pouliot Award will be presented at the CMS 2015 Winter Meeting in Montreal, December 4 to 7.

About the Adrien Pouliot Award

The Adrien Pouliot Award was inaugurated to recognize individuals or teams of individuals who have made significant and sustained contributions to mathematics education in Canada. The first award was presented in 1995 and is named after the second president of the CMS. Adrien Pouliot taught at Laval and was described as a world-class ambassador for science and mathematics and a great educator.

About the Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS)

Founded in 1945, the Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS) promotes the advancement, discovery, learning and application of mathematics. CMS funds and promotes activities including scientific meetings, research publications, education and awards. For more information visit cms.math.ca.

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