iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

In #MathsToday my seniors read Francis Su’s speech to Harvey Mudd frosh and then wrote a page reaction. They generally enjoyed the reading and honored me with their personal stories and thoughts about math and caring for others. Here is the article they read.

share.google

Science, in Service of Love

My exhortation to the first-year class at Harvey Mudd College

043

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Made some parallelepipeds in #MathsToday as a visual aid for finding volumes using cross products. #parallelipipeds #MTBoS

Picture is taken from above of a group of desks pushed together. We see an open Zome Tool kit, a Zome parallelepiped, and various student detritus like notes and cards left over from a card sort.

5191

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

In #MathsToday we did a system of equations activity from @mathequalslove.bsky.social which you can find here. mathequalslove.net/all-tied-up-... #iTeachMath #mtbos #Algebra2

Students measuring the length of a rope with 4 nots tied in it.

050

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Got my ropes ready for a system of equations task next week. Now I can enjoy my long weekend. #iTeachMath #MTBoS. #Algebra2

There are roughly 40 lengths of cord with their ends melted. Half are 1/4 inch thick and fluorescent yellow. The other half are 3/16 inch thick and colored white with grey stripe. In the photo is the lighter which melted the ends to keep them from fraying.

130

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

In #MathsToday, the Seed Numbers task. This group found working backwards helped. An excellent task to spike curiosity, problem solving, and review linear equations.

Student whiteboard work includes 9 sequences that have 100 as the 5th number, when generating numbers by adding the previous two. An example includes -91,94,3,97,100. All the sequences are written backwards with 100 as the first number. Students also plotted the first two numbers of each sequence as an ordered pair revealing a line. Also work around finding the slope and linear equation.

010

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

I won’t be at Bridges Math conference, but my hand embroidered Lorenz Attractor will be! #ThreadedTheorems used my photo in their paper. Yay! I see @samjshah.bsky.social has his embroidered aperiodic monotile in this paper as well. #mtbos archive.bridgesmathart.org/2026/bridges...

archive.bridgesmathart.org

093

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

The only thing wrong with my #FridayReads selection is that it will refer to a bunch of other books you are going to want to read also, there by increasing your booklist exponentially.

This picture shows the book “Once Upon a Prime: The Wondrous Connections Between Mathematics and Literature” by Sarah Hart.

130

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

I participated last summer and it really energized me. So great to work problems with others, and to hear from mathematicians about their work. I will definitely be attending again. Two thumbs up! #iTeachMath #MTBoS #MathsToday

071

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

After the #IllustratingMath seminar online this morning, I've been thinking about Ford Circles (new to me). I was messing around with plotting the circles, and found I could get quadratic equations to go through the center of circles tangent to circle 1. (1/n) www.desmos.com/calculator/5...

desmos.com

Ford Circles

100

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

I impulse bought this book, and I have no regrets. #iTeachMath

Photo shows the book cover of “99 Variations on a Proof” by Philip Ording. The image on the book cover is a 10 by 10 square grid with the top left corner removed, showing 99 squares.

250

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

I didn’t feel like I connected with my students as well this year. Then #inMathsToday a student handed me a thank you letter on her way out. It was a full handwritten page describing her positive experience with the class. I was floored and had no idea my impact on her. This letter is a keeper!

070

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

I got some Hypertiles and am looking for ways to use them in Multivariable Calculus. I’m thinking about having students drawing cross sections or level curves for a particular construction. Anyone have other ideas? #iTeachMath #MTBoS

A Hypertiles is in the shape of a hyperboloid of one sheet showing the saddle point. In this photo, 3 have been connected with linkages to make a sort of wavy triangular shape with a peak in the middle.

A side view of the model described in the other photo. The Hypertiles are sitting on a desk in a classroom with clean whiteboards in the background. The shape shows the vertices of the triangular shape curving upwards while the sides of the triangle curve downwards. The center where all 3 tiles meet is curving upwards.

191

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Comparing the circular motion of 2 large Ferris wheels in #MathsToday .

Student whiteboard work showing sketches of Ferris wheels with dimensions labeled. Next to them are the graphs of a person’s height as the wheel turns along with equations.

040

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 15/03/2026

I’ve got some students working on the pidaychallenge.com this weekend. They are having fun. I don’t know who makes this, but kudos to them! #MathsToday. ♾️

pidaychallenge.com

Pi Day Challenge

pidaychallenge.com | Pi Day Challenge

020

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

I just volunteered my students to puzzle test for this. I loved thee big yellow game book he did. #MTBoS

042

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Vector fields as art. In #MathsToday the students had to create a vector field and overlay it with a picture to create Vector Art. Just a fun little extension at the end of a unit. #iTeachMath

Image is a subsection of Van Goghs Starry Night. It’s the large whorl in the sky. Over the image is a vector field which points along the whorl. The vector field is -sin(x-y) for the i component and cos(x+y) for the j component. The vector field is handwritten. The image is black and white.

The vector field F=<x,2-x^2> is overlayed on the image of a fountain in a pond. The water sprays straight up and falls down into a circular region. The vectors point along the motion of the water.

192

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 06/02/2026

In #MathsToday we had success discovering the log properties. I had students use a log table to find all the ways to combine logs to equal log2, which led to them noticing the loga-logb=log(a/b) property. Then they looked for ways to make log12 (which led to discovering the product property.

140

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

In #MathsToday we used the Koch Snowflake to review writing exponential equations from data. Students then discussed what the end behavior would be for the equation of the perimeter. The kids enjoyed hearing how this was thought “abominable” by mathematicians when first discovered.

Student whiteboard work which shows an attempt at drawing the Koch snowflake. Start with a triangle, divide each sides into thirds, and replace the middle third with a new equilateral triangle, then repeat. Below the Koch Curve is a table which records the number of sides in column one, the length of a side in column 2, and the third column will hold the perimeter, but is currently empty. The rows represent the iteration. Below the table the students are working on are some multiplication calculations.

Student white board work shows a table with the following columns; stage number, number of sides, side lengths, and perimeter. The stage nUmber column contains 0, 1,2,3,n. The number of sides column contains 3,12,48,192 and the function 3(4^n). The side lengths column contains 1,1/3,1/9,1/27, and the function 1/3^n. The perimeter column contains 3,4,48/9,7 (sic), and the function 3(4^x)/(3^n).

0102

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

In #MathsToday we learned how to sketch vector fields. Then we had some fun with this neat app. Try the randomize button. #maths #MathArt anvaka.github.io/fieldplay/?c...

anvaka.github.io

Vector Fields, Math and Art.

This website allows you to build and explore beautiful world of vector fields.

0112

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

I’m going to #TCM in North Carolina in February! Super excited. All the abstracts look great. But I know for sure I want to attend the Knot Coloring and systems of equations talk. Anyone else attending? #MTBoS

111

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

In #MathsToday we started with a menu task. Students had to write as few quadratic equations (in vertex form) as possible while hitting 10 constraints. Enjoyed watching students explain their thinking to each other.

This photo shows the arm of a student writing on a whiteboard. The work shows some quadratic equations in vertex form, some sketches of the equations, and some student notes about which constraints can or cannot pair together.

030

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Teachers who participated in @jlanier.bsky.social Twenty-first century mathematics workshop last summer might be interested in the monthly seminars hosted by @chalkdustmag.bsky.social by authors of papers in the book. #iTeachMath #MTBoS chalkdustmagazine.com/blog/theorem...

chalkdustmagazine.com

Theorems of the 21st Century Seminar - Chalkdust

A new online seminar series. Each seminar is an accessible introduction to a theorem of the 21st century.

021

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

In #MathsToday I had all the students at the whiteboards and asked them to solve ax^2+bx+c=0 by completing the square. They were so surprised to get the quadratic formula as their answer, and then they were proud they had derived this mystical formula without even realizing they were doing it.

media.tenor.com

a heart with the words " quadratic formula my beloved " written on it

Alt: a heart gif opens up with the words " quadratic formula my beloved " written on it

161

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Something that went well in #MathsToday was a personal victory for me. I’ve been trying to draw a particular student out, and today she volunteered to share her unique approach to solving a quadratic visual pattern. It’s always wonderful when the quiet voices speak up. 👍

060

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Completing squares in #MathsToday and came to learn not a single student in class had ever used algebra tiles. Thank goodness for polypad! Quickly had students geometrically completing the square. You can even cut the algebra tiles in half and solve problems with fractions.

161

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Jumping frogs puzzle in #MathsToday We used snap cubes for the frogs, but here is link for an online version. After playing, we modeled the number of moves versus number of frogs using a quadratic eqn. Did some quadratic visual patterns too. www.primefactorisation.com/frogpuzzle/

primefactorisation.com

Jumping Frogs Puzzle

020

Reposted by Adrienne Hestenes

David H. Montgomery @dhmontgomery.com · 31/12/2025

NEW: How many books did you read this year? If it was more than 2, congrats: you read more than the median American. Read on for way more @today.yougov.com polling from me on America's book-reading habits in 2025. 1/

A table of YouGov polling data with the headline: "How your reading habits compare to other Americans."

The chart has the sub-headline: "About how many books have you read or listened to so far in 2025? (% of U.S. adult citizens)."

56432146

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

This is great fun, even though I am stuck on door 21. #MTBoS #maths

331

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

Reviewing functions, complex numbers and iteration before winter break was a perfect excuse to explore the Mandelbrot Set. I challenged students to find an image that would amaze their classmates, as well as record the location and zoom factor. #ITeachMath #MTBoS mandelbrot.page?pixelratio=3

mandelbrot.page

Mandelbrot Set Fractal Explorer

Beautiful, fast, and precise exploration of the Mandelbrot Set online. Click to zoom. Hover to see orbits. M makes a smooth movie of your zoom path.

130

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

I just completed my first flummoxagon. So satisfying!

A wood hexagonal frame contains 48 puzzle pieces. The pieces made up of between 1 and 6 hexagons connected to make every possible shape. The pieces are 4 different color, blue, green, orange and purple. The goal is to tile all the pieces into the hexagon frame making sure that no two pieces with the same color touch.

130

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

In #MathsToday we did an old fashioned card sort. Arranged the polynomials by end behavior, then matched up the equations to the graphs. After, I gave them some equations and they had to sketch the graph on the whiteboards, paying attention to end behavior and x-intercepts. #Algebra2 #iTeachMath

8 cards containing a unique polynomial graph . One group of 3 cards that have end behavior of positive, even degree polynomials. One group of 2 cards that have the end behavior of negative, even degree polynomials. One group of 2 cards with end behavior of positive, odd degree polynomials. And the fourth group has one card with end behavior of a negative, odd degree polynomials.

The 8 graphs in the previous image have been arranged by increasing degree, then matched with an equation. The equations range from degree 2 to degree 6. Some equations are factored, some in standard form.

2140

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

In #MathsToday we did one of my favorite’s, the painted cube problem. A nice thinking problem to introduce polynomials.

Student work on a whiteboard showing some diagrams, working out, and lists of results. There is a 5x5x5 cube with individual cubelets numbered by how many sides are showing. There is 6x6 square showing the arrangement of 1,2,3 surface cubelets. There are some lists and tables keeping track of numbered totals for different size cubes. And the beginnings of a formula for an nxnxn cube.

Student work on a whiteboard showing lists of cubelet totals for cubes of size n=3,4,5,6. Cubelet types are ones with 3 sides painted (corners), 2 sides painted (edges), 1 side painted (faces) and 0 sides painted (interior). There is also a list of formulas for any size nxnxn cube the students figured out.

140

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 18/09/2025

I found this problem somewhere (here or mathstodon?). But I saved the image they posted of the problem. It completely took over my brain. I brought it up over lunch with a few other math teachers, and we argued about it. And I think we came to great solution. Thanks OP! #Teach180 #iTeachMath

Standup and Ponder 1. There are three boxes. One is labeled “APPLES” another is labeled “ORANGES”. The last one is labeled “APPLES AND ORANGES”. You know that each is labeled incorrectly. You may ask me to pick one fruit from one box which you choose. How can you label the boxes correctly?

210

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Success! 🎻🧱 #FiddleBrix Sunday, September 14, 2025 2:43 (no hints!) 🟪🟪🟨🟦🟦 🟪🟨🟨🟦🟩 🟪🟨🟨🟦🟩 🟪🟨🟩🟩🟩 🟪🟨🟩🟩🟩 fiddlebrix.com

fiddlebrix.com

200

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

Ta daaa! I give you the Lorentz Attractor thanks to the free pattern from #ThreadedTheorems and also @samjshah.bsky.social whose posted work I admired. #StemBroidery #MathArt #MathSky

An embroidery in a circular hoop of the Lorentz Strange Attractor. Embroidered using backstitch and variegated thread of colors aqua, indigo, and pink. The pattern loops around giving a two lobed appearance of a butterfly.

710214

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 06/09/2025

Here is a problem I thought I’d never have. Our math club is too big! Just over 200. How do we make meetings meaningful and not just chaos? Wow. Gotta think. #iTeachMath #MTBoS #MuAlphaTheta

160

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Pullback cars must mean it’s time for Vroom Vroom ala @fawnnguyen.substack.com . Reviewing linear regressions was never so fun. #iTeachMath #Algebra2

Three boxes of 3inch long pullback car toys, ready for students. My favorite are the pink and red mini coopers with the Union Jack on the roof, followed closely by the Volkswagen buses. Roughly 30 toy cars can be seen of various styles.

031

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 29/08/2025

Building hypercubes to round out level surfaces today. Students had fun building 2 different perspectives and trying to match it up with Schlegel diagrams in order to identify the 8 cubes within. A fun pre-Labor Day weekend activity. #iTeachMath #MathSky

Zometool construction of a hypercube sitting on a student desk behind a sheet of paper containing 8 Schlegel diagrams of a hypercube. The student has shaded the location of 8 different cubes, one for each diagram.

Two zometool constructions of a hypercube, one larger than the other. This is a different perspective from the previous picture. This construction is a small cube inside a large cube. The large model is connected to the small model at the corresponding vertices. Evidence of students working lies around but no humans in the picture. Schlegel diagrams of the hypercube can be seen on the desk.

140

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

Beautiful view on the way to work. Had to pull over and photograph. #sunrise #clouds #sky

A photo of the morning sky, covered in light fluffy clouds after a storm the night before. Sun rays are peaking through. In the foreground are palm tree sillouhettes, the road and sidewalk. 6:45 am, no cars or people out yet.

030

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Problem solving, what not to do! I love this video clip so much and shared with students today before giving them something challenging to solve. #iTeachMath #MTBoS www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSIk...

youtube.com

Escalator Temporarily Stairs.

YouTube video by ThatBobGuy

020

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

Had an extra day with one class compared to others today, so we tried out a @mathforlove.bsky.social activity “Squarable Numbers”. Had 100% participation and lots of good discussion. #iTeachMath #MTBoS mathforlove.com/lesson/squar...

Students work on graph paper showing her square disections into smaller squares.

Photo shows a students work on a mini whiteboard. A 9 by 9 square is drawn and students is dividing it into smaller squares.

292

Adrienne Hestenes @ahestenes.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

Creating 3D visualization of z=f(x,y) from a table of numbers. #iTeachMath #MTBoS

A student is placing a tower of 5 snap cubes into an arrangement of other towers of snap cubes. We see the students notebook and hand as she is placing her construction.

020