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Potsdam and Lisbon residents study Mayan and Aztec math in Mexico

Posted 3/15/13

POTSDAM -- Potsdam and Lisbon residents recently took part in a study abroad program through SUNY Potsdam’s study abroad program. Students and faculty from SUNY Potsdam and Clarkson Unviersty …

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Potsdam and Lisbon residents study Mayan and Aztec math in Mexico

Posted

POTSDAM -- Potsdam and Lisbon residents recently took part in a study abroad program through SUNY Potsdam’s study abroad program.

Students and faculty from SUNY Potsdam and Clarkson Unviersty traveled to Mexico from Jan. 6 to Jan. 16 to study Mayan and Aztec symbols and mathematics, as well as the Templo Mayor.

John Jadlos, Potsdam, and Britney Livingston, Lisbon, participated in the trip.

Professors Blair Madore and Cheryl Miller from SUNY Potsdam and Jeanna Matthews from Clarkson, along with eight students, traveled to Mexico to participate in hands-on learning experiences involving Meso-American culture and mathematics.

Some highlights of the trip included a visit to the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, the Tula Archaeological Site and Museum in Hidalgo and the Pyramids of the Sun and Moon in Teotihuacán. The students also got several chances to interact and explore with students from The Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo.

Class work included scavenger hunts, tours of museums and other math puzzles and projects. Focusing on Meso-American culture, students learned about the history of mathematics in several cultures, including Egypt, Mesopotamia and China.

"The learning experience was much different than that of a normal classroom setting. We had a lot of hands-on experiences which helped us see why math really matters and how it can be applied in real life situations," said Britney Livingston.