G4G15: Zone Proxima Leadership Awarded Scholarship: Present and Exhibit Zone Proxima Math
Zone Proxima CEO Debbie Denise Reese, PhD, introduces the Gathering 4 Gardner (G4G15) community to Zone Proxima Math. Photo credit: Steven Inglima
Date Posted: Friday, March 8, 2024
Zone Proxima Math, an early childhood readiness initiative, received a full scholarship from the Gathering 4 Gardner (G4G) Foundation to introduce the math program to the community of G4G15 attendees February 21-25, 2024 in Atlanta, GA. Representing the company, leadership Debbie Denise Reese, PhD, and Steven Inglima manned an exhibit throughout the conference and gave a presentation to the general assembly.
Reese’s exhibit and talk presented Zone Proxima Math as an early childhood math education solution for adults who care about children: parents, homeschools, childcare providers, Head Start and preschool centers. Reese presented decades national and international test results documenting the lack of USA mathematics proficiency, the link between early childhood mathematics readiness and math and lifelong achievement, and the cognitive science underlying Zone Proxima Math. She shared videos and analyses of real-life mathematical and behavioral breakthroughs that occurred during Zone Proxima parent-child sessions. She cautioned about the misconception that young children should discover, by themselves, fundamental early child mathematics. Instead, adults must learn how to guide children through mathematical discovery and behaviors that will support academic and personal flourishing. Zone Proxima Math sessions are typically conducted real-time through videoconferencing. The company will design training programs to order for communities, school districts, sponsors, and other groups.
Download the Zone Proxima Math G4G15 Proceedings paper: ROOT(Math Success) = Childhood + Concrete Analogs + Challenges or read online.
Gathering 4 Gardner celebrates Martin Gardner’s contributions to recreational mathematics, magic and illusions, puzzles and games, skepticism, science, art, literature, and their intersection. By invitation only, members from all of these communities share, explore, build/construct, and perform their interests, accomplishments, and findings. A long-time resident of Hendersonville, NC (1979-2004), Gardner inspired, entertained, and educated generations of mathematicians, scientists, engineers, and other aficionados with his Scientific American monthly column “Mathematical Games” (1956-1986), an estimated 60 books, and other writings.
Among Inglima’s many talents and interests, Inglima is a photographer and expert in the technical aspects of the art form and equipment who led the Canon Explorers of Light Program. He currently serves as the adult class coordinator at the Murphy Arts Center, Murphy, NC. Inglima photographed the G4G15 featured presenter free public lectures. G4G leadership asked him to return n 2026 to also photograph the Evening Entertainment Galas of stage magic, juggling, and mentalism.
Gathering 4 Gardner should return to Atlanta in 2026. G4G is typically held at the Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta.
G4G15 Zone Proxima Math Exhibit
Read the poster panels: Download PDF to read display text.
Photo credit: Steven Inglima
Zone Proxima CEO Debbie Denise Reese Discusses Zone Proxima Math with Alvy Ray Smith III, Co-founder of Pixar
Photo credit: Steven Inglima