Course Description

Are you looking for something to make your mathematics class more exciting?

Do you want your students to learn to ask questions?

Do they even know what questions they need to be asking?


If you answered yes to any of these questions join me and learn:

  • What is a Fermi problem?
  • Why use Fermi problems in the mathematics classroom?
  • How can Fermi problems be adapted for the primary grades all the way through high school?
  • Why can Fermi problems be thought of as "free math" with respect to the time involved with instruction?

This course looks at how Fermi Problems can be used as well as offers resources for educators.

PD Hours:

Upon successful completion of the Basic course, participants will get a certificate for 3 hours of PD credit.

Upon successful completion of the Basic+ course, participants will get a certificate for 6 hours of PD credit.

PD credit hours will be determined by the local district/school for the Custom course.

Lead Instructor

Tammy Jones

Meet Your Instructor An educator since 1979, Tammy L. Jones has worked with students from first grade through college. Currently, Tammy is consulting with individual school districts in training teachers on strategies for making content accessible to all learners. Writing integrations as well as literacy connections are foundational in everything Tammy does. Tammy also works with teachers on effective techniques for being successful in the classroom. As a classroom teacher Tammy’s goal was that all students understand and appreciate the content they were studying; that they could read it, write it, explore it, and communicate it with confidence; and that they would be able to use the content as they need to in their lives. Tammy believes that logical reasoning, followed by a well-reasoned presentation of results, is central to the process of learning, and that this learning happens most effectively in a cooperative, student-centered classroom. Tammy believes that learning is experiential and in her current consulting work creates and shares engaging and effective educational experiences.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Fermi Questions: Increasing Student Engagement while Building Logical Reasoning Skills

    • Introduction

    • Getting Started with Effective Implementation of this Course

    • Welcome & Orientation Study Journal
  • 2

    What is a Fermi problem?

    • Who was Fermi?

    • What Fermi Can Teach All of Us
  • 3

    Why use Fermi problems in the mathematics classroom?

    • Building Landmarks

    • FREE Math

    • Building Logical Reasoning Skills

    • A Sample Fermi question
  • 4

    Adaptations for All

    • Fermi in the Primary grades

    • Fermi in the Intermediate grades

    • Fermi in Middle School

    • Fermi in High School

    • Fermi in High School
  • 5

    Implementing Fermi problems in the classroom

    • First Steps

    • Planning and Implementation

    • Sample Fermi Problems & Resources

Pricing options

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