The document is a conference report from a teacher summarizing sessions attended at the LIMACON 99 math and computer science conference. The report discusses sessions on a new Harvard Pre-Calculus curriculum using alternative assessment techniques and technology. It also discusses different introductory programming languages for computer science and introducing proof techniques in math courses. The teacher recommends a Baldwin teacher investigate piloting the new Harvard Pre-Calculus course using the textbook.

1. Conference Report
To: Peter K. Lynch, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum
From: A. Jorge Garc¡a, Teacher of Calculus and Comp Science
Date: October 27, 1999
re: Lima‡on 99
cc: BSHS Mathematics Department
Background:
Every year in March, the Long Island Math Conference is held at
SUNY Old Westbury. LIMACON 99 attracted presenters and teachers from
all over the globe. The conference covers topics in teaching mathematics and
computer science from K-College.
Observations:
My first session was presented by Phil Cheifetz, Ann Davidian and
Andrew Lippai. Dr. Cheifetz is a co-author of the new Harvard Consortium
Pre-Calculus curriculum and text book (Functions Modeling Change, Wiley).
The other two presenters were high school teachers who found this program
successful as a terminal math course for seniors and a preparatory course
leading to AP Calculus.
Please see the attached flyer for a summer course to train teachers in
teaching Harvard Pre-Calculus. This course emphasizes alternative
assessment techniques using technology in addition to teaching the reformed
curriculum. Teachers that have been so trained may teach the course in
partnership with Nassau Community College. Our high school students can
pay US$350 to participate. Every other week a professor from NCC team
teaches a lesson with the high school teacher. Students receive credit from
the high school and NCC for Pre-Calculus.
The second session was presented by William Stienmetz, a professor
from Dowling College. The thrust of this talk was comparing different
programming languages to decide which was the best introductory language
for students preparing to take AP Computer Science the following year.
BASIC, Visual BASIC, Pascal, Delphi, Java, Scheme, and C were discussed.
Many high schools and colleges use some combination of these before C++.
The consensus was that teaching some combination of BASIC and Pascal
covered all the requisite techniques a student would need to tackle AP
Computer Science in C++ (A or AB). We do this in Computer Math(BASIC)
and Advanced Computer Math(Pascal).
Arthur Kalish, a teacher from Syosset High School, presented several
mathematics topics from the Math I, II and III curricula where students
could be introduced to more techniques of proof.
Recommendations:
I recommend that a teacher in our department make use of the
attached flyer to investigate the Harvard program. In addition, we will need
the new Harvard Pre-Calculus text book to pilot this new course at Baldwin.
a:limacon99.mem.doc