Attend the free event on Monday, April 21 at 6pm in collaboration with Math Awareness and Financial Literacy Month
Colorado Mesa University invites the public to a special screening of Counted Out, a powerful documentary that explores the hidden role of mathematics in shaping our society, economy and democracy. This event will take place at 6pm in the CMU University Center Ballroom and is free to attend with prior registration.
The film highlights the crucial issue of numeric literacy and how a lack of understanding impacts everything from economic participation to voting rights. As our world becomes increasingly driven by data, understanding the role of math in daily life is more important than ever. Counted Out demonstrates how mathematical thinking affects political decisions, financial policies and much more, often in ways that are invisible to the average person.
The screening is part of CMU’s efforts to address Quantitative Literacy during Math Awareness Month and Financial Literacy Month. The event is hosted by the CMU Assessment Committee, the Center for Teacher Education, and the Mathematics Department, with financial support from the Colorado Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
“Exploring mathematics provides an opportunity for everyone to fully engage in several of CMU’s core values,” said CMU Assistant Professor of Math Education Abe Wallin, PhD. “The risk-taking required in authentic problem solving requires curiosity about the world around us, courage to ask questions we don’t know the answers to, humility when we struggle to make sense of our findings, and resiliency to start again when we fail. The experiences we gain from this process not only provides us with knowledge about the problems we solve, but also about ourselves.”
The event will not only highlight the film’s key messages but also encourage attendees to consider ways to improve quantitative literacy in their own lives. Following the screening, attendees will have the opportunity to discuss how CMU and the community can work together to increase understanding and engagement with mathematics.
The film has been shown at various prestigious festivals, including the San Francisco International Film Festival and the Original Thinkers Festival in Telluride, Colorado, drawing attention to the intersection of mathematical thinking and civic health. This screening at CMU is a step toward making these discussions more accessible and relevant to the local community.
To register for the free event, please visit the registration link.
Join us on Monday, April 21 to discover how understanding math can empower individuals to fully participate in our democracy and economy.