High Desert Euclid Mathematics
Most math teachers get into teaching the subject for two reasons. The first is clearly the pay, but the second is because they love math. How often, though, does the average math teacher get to learn and explore their passion for the subject matter. Between grading tests and homework assignments, meeting students for extra help, and planning lessons, who has time to “do math?” Come to Santa Fe and explore with us! And what better place to start than with Geometry? In high school math, the subject matter is tossed in between Algebra sections almost as an afterthought, often without connection or context. We teach kids to use Area and Volume on the SAT’s and geometry makes some appearances in Calculus, but that is not why we learn it. We learn Geometry to learn how to think.
In this course, we’re going back to the source! Euclid wrote his iconic Elements almost two and a half thousand years ago, but the concepts that he laid out in those tomes have been subject to scholarly parsing throughout the ages and are still relevant today. The Elements can be studied in a linear fashion, but in this course, we will explore the interconnected web of ideas that runs through these thirteen books. We will zoom out to examine the implications of Euclid’s discoveries and methods on modern mathematics, and zoom in to uncover the deeper philosophical implications of the wisdom that lies within. We will get our hands dirty working on constructions and break into groups to enjoy discussion-based learning and to bounce ideas off of other enthusiastic educators. We will spend some time in the classroom, some time in Santa Fe Prep’s beautiful library marking up the windows, and some time hiking the trails of Northern New Mexico, taking in the fractaline landscape and finding a quiet and inspiring place to do some reading.
all schedules subject to changes
Course Faculty
Joey Reich
After earning his bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Brandeis University, Joey Reich embarked on a career as a professional artist and glassblower. He studied glass art at Massachusetts College of Art and Design and Pilchuck Glass School, before following his future wife out to New Mexico in 2003. After building and operating a glass shop…