NIX PEMDAS! Rethink the order of operations: Is there a better way to solve than brackets first or left to right? The traditional order of operations, a cornerstone of mathematics education, may not be the only way to simplify expressions. These rules, often summarized in acronyms like PEMDAS/BEDMAS/GEMS, are deeply embedded in mathematics education, but they may not always serve the best interests of our students. Join Alice Keeler, an innovative mathematics teacher, as she explores alternative strategies that prioritize number sense and conceptual understanding over procedural rote memory. This session is a journey to empower students to think critically and flexibly about mathematics, freeing themselves from the constraints of the traditional order of operations.
