Mathematics in STEM
Oregon STEM Week | May 2–10, 2026
May offers an opportunity for mathematics educators to join a broader STEM conversation. National STEM Week and Oregon STEM Week (May 2–10) highlight problem solving, design, data, and modeling, all areas where mathematics plays a central role.
STEM Week does not require new curriculum or special events. It is an invitation to surface the mathematics already happening in classrooms and connect it to real‑world questions, applications, and pathways. Whether through a short task, a modeling prompt, or a data‑based discussion, math classrooms are essential STEM spaces.
Math teachers might consider how these examples highlight ways mathematics naturally supports STEM learning across grade bands.
Elementary (K–5)
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Data and Representation: Students collect and organize data from simple investigations, then represent their thinking using tables, charts, or graphs.
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Measurement and Design: Students measure length, area, or volume to compare designs and justify choices.
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Patterns and Sequences: Students explore repeating patterns and sequences through unplugged coding or simple tools.
Middle School (6–8)
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Ratios and Scaling: Students use ratios to reason about scale, maps, or models.
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Data Modeling: Students analyze real data to identify patterns, make predictions, and explain conclusions.
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Design with Constraints: Students apply algebra, geometry, and measurement to refine solutions within defined constraints.
High School (9–12)
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Mathematical Modeling: Students define a problem, create a model, test assumptions, and communicate results.
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Algebra in Context: Students use systems of equations or inequalities to explore optimization or decision‑
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Statistics and Inference: Students investigate variability and probability using simulations and authentic datasets.
Educators are encouraged to engage in ways that fit their classroom goals, from a single lesson adaptation to a shared grade‑level focus. Oregon’s Regional STEM Hubs also offer ready‑to‑use activities and ideas that foreground mathematics within STEM learning.
STEM Week is a chance to make math visible, applied, and connected, and to help students see mathematics as a powerful tool for understanding and shaping the world.
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Seeking Educator Input on the Oregon Math Framework
The Oregon Department of Education invites district administrators, instructional coaches, and math leaders to participate in upcoming statewide feedback sessions to provide initial input on the development of a K–12 instructional framework for mathematics. This framework is intended to offer a shared, statewide vision for mathematics instruction and High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) that supports local decision making while grounding the work in strong research and clear values.
Register for one of the Math Framework Engagement Sessions listed below. Each session begins with an overview and background for the work, followed by opportunities to provide feedback through focused breakout discussions. The content is the same in all three sessions, offering multiple options to fit your schedule.
Registration Link for Math Leader Feedback which includes the following options:
- May 18, 2026 4:00-5:00 PM
- May 19, 2026 7:30-8:30 AM
- May 19, 2026 4:00-5:00 PM
- May 21, 2026 8:30-9:30 AM
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Additional Feedback Opportunity: STEM Education Plan
Education and community leaders are also invited to share input during the second round of engagement for the 2026–2030 STEM Education Plan. Feedback collected during this window will help shape statewide priorities, strategies, and investments that support Oregon’s STEM Ecosystem, as well as STEM teaching, learning and workforce pathways. The STEM Education Plan survey is open through Wednesday, May 20.
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ODE and Smarter Balanced Assessment Recruitment: ELA and Math Grades 3 - 8 and High School [REPEAT]
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) partners with Smarter Balanced for the continued development of new Summative Test items. The application is still open for educators to indicate which events they are interested in participating in (Select all that apply).
Content Development Dates - Virtual Meetings:
Anticipated math educator involvement opportunities in 2026 are listed below:
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ELA and Math Data Review: Early June
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Math Rangefinding: July 20 - 23
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Math Item Review: September
More Information is available on the Smarter Balanced Educator Recruitment website. For support navigating the online application, please contact Tony Bertrand, ELA and Social Sciences Assessment Specialist or Jennifer Bell, Mathematics Assessment Specialist with the Oregon Department of Education.
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Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to recognize the histories, cultures, and contributions of AAPI communities. In mathematics classrooms, centering AAPI stories and contributions supports Oregon’s Math Cornerstones by strengthening Focus on meaningful mathematics, fostering Belonging through representation and identity, deepening Engagement by connecting learning to lived experiences, and illuminating Pathways that show learners the many ways mathematics shapes their communities and futures.
Resources
The resources below can support classroom learning across grade levels and connect mathematics to history, culture, and community.
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AAPI History Hub AAPI History Hub offers K–12 lesson plans, books, videos, and primary sources created with educators and community partners. Many lessons provide opportunities to integrate mathematics with social studies and data analysis. One example is Let’s Learn About AANHPI Calendars for grades 3–5, which connects cultural practices with patterns, measurement, and time.
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Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center The Smithsonian’s Asian Pacific American Center provides virtual exhibits, educator guides, and classroom-ready resources that highlight AAPI histories, innovation, and contributions across fields, including STEM. These materials can support discussion, modeling, and project-based learning connections.
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Asian & Pacific American Heritage Month This national site curates teaching resources, historical context, and primary sources that can support cross-disciplinary learning. Educators can pair these materials with mathematical investigations, data explorations, or modeling tasks grounded in real-world contexts.
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Math in Context: Representation and Identity As students engage with mathematics, consider intentionally highlighting AAPI mathematicians, scientists, and engineers through problem contexts, visuals, or extension tasks. Small shifts in representation can reinforce students’ identities as capable contributors and expand their views of who does mathematics.
Professional Learning Opportunity: Math Modeling and Reasoning (MMR)
Oregon educators are invited to an upcoming professional learning opportunity focused on Math Modeling and Reasoning (MMR). This session highlights instructional strategies that engage students in real‑world problem solving, strengthen reasoning and sense‑making, and support student identity as capable mathematical thinkers.
This opportunity is well suited for educators implementing or exploring math modeling and reasoning courses or units, as well as those interested in expanding access to applied mathematics experiences. Learn more and register with this link.
Upcoming IES Professional Learning Opportunities in Mathematics
The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is offering two upcoming professional learning opportunities that center on high-quality, evidence-based instructional practices in mathematics. These sessions are designed to support educators across grade levels and connect research to classroom practice.
Strategies and Tools from the Teaching Fractions Toolkit
This session focuses on improving instruction around fractions, a critical foundation for later success in algebra and higher-level mathematics. Participants will explore strategies grounded in cognitive science and research on how students learn fractions. The session draws from the Teaching Fractions Toolkit and emphasizes practical instructional moves teachers can use to support conceptual understanding, reasoning, and coherence across grade levels.
Instructional Strategies to Help Middle and High School Students Succeed in Algebra
This session highlights evidence-based instructional strategies that support student success in algebra, with a focus on addressing common challenges students experience as they work with variables, expressions, and equations. Participants will examine research‑aligned approaches that promote sense‑making, reduce procedural overload, and support deep understanding.
This training is well suited for middle and high school mathematics educators, instructional leaders, and those supporting math pathways and algebra readiness.
Oregon Middle School Math Statewide PLC [REPEAT]
A virtual statewide PLC for middle school math educators began March 3, 2026. The PLC supports teacher collaboration, strengthens instructional practice, and promotes equitable and ambitious math teaching.
Meeting Schedule
- First Tuesday of each month from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. PST
- Upcoming dates: May 5, June 2
Why Join
- Align curriculum with Oregon math standards
- Engage in ambitious math teaching practices that support discourse and equity
- Increase rigor through lesson revision
- Collaborate with educators statewide and access a shared resource hub
Questions Contact Heather Armstrong at heather_armstrong@soesd.k12.or.us.
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Registration Open: 2026 Oregon Math Leaders Conference
The Oregon Math Leaders Conference registration is open!
Details: August 4-6, 2026 - Corvallis, Oregon - hosted by Oregon State University
TOTOM: August 4-5, 2026
OML: August 5-6, 2026
Chase Orton, author of The Unfinished and Imperfect Math Teacher, is the keynote speaker on Wednesday, August 5 and all conference participants will receive a copy of his book!
Mark Freed and Jennifer Bell from ODE will provide the State of the State for updates on Math Education and Assessment topics in Orgon.
Registration: Scholarships are available for OCTM members and TOMT contributors, and you are encourage to apply. Additionally, consider speaking with your administrator about potential district-supported funding. Conference Registration is open now!
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Northwest Mathematics Conference
The 65th Annual Northwest Mathematics Conference will take place October 9–10, 2026 at the Columbia River Holiday Inn in Portland, Oregon. The conference website provides registration information, keynote and featured speaker listings, and event updates.
Keynote Speakers:
- Bryan Butcher: Oregon 2025 Teacher of the Year
- Latrenda Knighten: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics President
- Lori Mackenzie: Clackamas ESD Mathematics Specialist
- Dan Meyer: Amplify, Inc.
Session Topics Include: Thinking Classrooms, Equitable Practices, Strategies for Inclusion, Using AI for Teachers, Data Reasoning, 2+1 Pathways, and More!
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Join the Oregon Math Leaders Network
The Oregon Math Leaders Network is a community of math practitioners who work together to implement and support math teaching and learning in Oregon. Participants include teacher leaders, TOSAs, program administrators, college faculty, and math community partners. If you identify as a math leader, you are invited!
The virtual meetings will continue to take place on the third Thursday of each month at 8:30 AM on Zoom. The May meeting will be an engagement opportunity for the Math Framework (Register at the link above).
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Stay Connected!
If you have an opportunity or announcement to share statewide, please contact the ODE Math Team.
The materials contained in the Department of Education’s Oregon Math Educator Update are drawn from both internal and external sources and inclusion of external materials does not necessarily indicate Oregon Department of Education endorsement.
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