CPS Workshops - Cryptography


Cryptography: The Mathematics of Secret Codes

Summer Workshop for CPS Middle Grade Teachers

Led by Prof. Vera Pless and Prof. Janet Beissinger

Registration is now closed.


Explore the use of cryptography (secret codes) as a teaching tool in the middle school. Cryptography is an exciting setting for applying and reinforcing several mathematics topics. It is also linked to important historical events and such modern-day topics as passwords and security on the Internet.

The workshop is based on activities from the newly published book, The Cryptoclub: Using Mathematics to Make and Break Secret Codes, written by the instructors (published by A K Peters, Ltd, 2006), and from a related interactive web site, http://cryptoclub.math.uic.edu. The material can be taught to middle-grade students as one continuous module or distributed throughout the year. Some teachers have used the material in their regular mathematics classes and others have used it in math clubs. Mathematics content (which can be adjusted according to grade level) includes:

  • prime factorization
  • comparing and ordering decimals
  • data collection
  • exponents
  • addition and subtraction of positive and negative numbers

  • greatest common factors
  • modular (clock) arithmetic
  • solution of linear equations
  • inverses
Riddle:

What's the difference between a teacher and a train?


Answer:

XLI XIEGLIV WECW "RS KYQ EPPSAIH".

XLI XVEMR WECW, "GLIA GLIA".

When:

Two weeks: June 19-30, Monday through Friday, 9:00-12:00

Credit:

30 CPDUs

Stipend:

$600 upon completion

Material:

Participating teachers will receive one free copy of the book. They will be able to order additional copies for their students at a substantially reduced price, thanks to a publisher's discount and a grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

The UIC Initiative for Math and Science Teacher Content Education has been funded by the Illinois Board of Higher Education in conjunction with the No Child Left Behind Act.