Creating a Pathway for the Development of Undergraduate Math Majors and Minors in our Department
The Math Department hired 11 undergraduate math majors and minors as teaching assistants (UTAs) for the spring semester, and these new members of our department are busy assisting our undergraduate students enrolled in our STEM core classes by offering weekly targeted supplemental instruction (SI) sessions in a dedicated WeBWorK lab – called the Math Gym – located in 3.02.08 within the Flawn Science Building. Just like a gym, the WeBWorK lab will be open during the day for individual use of the “equipment” – 30 desktop computers – but it will also offer group workout SI sessions for students who need structured support. During spring 2023, these SI sessions will be offered daily for students taking Pre-calculus and Calculus I, with additional courses in the STEM core added in fall 2023.
More Than a Lab
The Math Gym is unique in that it’s a WeBWorK lab designed to offer our STEM core students support from math majors and minors through targeted SI sessions. This means that session content will mirror course content through close collaboration with the course coordinators for the STEM core. In fact, the targeted SI sessions are not possible without the coordination of our STEM core classes–something that our department has been working towards for several years. Operating the Math Gym and an open WeBWorK lab is a unique opportunity for our Department and the University to create a path to success for our math majors, minors, and ultimately for all students at UTSA.
Further, this program builds on the department strategy for student success by increasing the number of TAs available for student support.
The vertical and horizontal alignment of curriculum, an increase in the number of TAs, and now the development of the Math Gym and WeBWorK lab is evidence of the student-centered vision for the Department and the College of Science which is focused on student success.
If you are an undergraduate math major or minor and interested in applying for a UTA position, please click here and fill out an application today!
Math Gym Schedule – FLN 3.02.08
Precalculus Sessions:
Precalculus individual/targeted zoom sessions: Launch Meeting – Zoom
Calculus Sessions:
