Engaging Teachers in Integrating Human-Centered Design for Geometry Problem-based Instruction

Gloriana González (PI)

I am a Professor in the College of Education at the University of Illinois. I lead mathematics education research. Through design, this project brings many of my passions together: geometry, a commitment to social justice, engaging teachers in collaborating, and students creating stuff.

As a geometry teacher, I loved seeing students’ creativity when designing things with geometry–from artistic pieces to a geodesic dome that they made with PVC pipes! My dream is to enable student creativity by positioning students as designers. Students will change the world with their great ideas only if we give them the chance to do so!!!

Saadeddine Shehab (Co-PI)

I am the Senior Associate Director of Research and Strategic Initiatives at the Siebel Center for Design at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. My research focuses on the practicing, teaching, and learning of Human-Centered Design (HCD) in STEM classrooms and teacher education.

I also co-direct the Human-Centered Engineering Consortium and lead the Human-Centered Schools Network, advancing research-practice partnerships that empower educators to design meaningful learning experiences and cultivate human-centered mindsets among students.

Edward Powers

I earned my bachelor’s in Mathematics and Secondary Education, and my Master’s of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Illinois. Over the past 16 years I have been a middle and high school math teacher, a math interventionist, and a curriculum coordinator. I am currently working on my Educator Leadership Licensure to become a principal.

I have worked at the University of Illinois as a researcher and clinical supervisor, mentoring future educators as they become teachers.

I am passionate about helping teachers provide the best opportunity for student learning. This project offers a new vision for mathematics education that I am incredibly excited about.

Sourabh Garg

I am a doctoral student in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. My research focuses on students’ mathematical thinking; specifically, how learners make sense of mathematical ideas through embodied means, and how instructional resources can support these ideas. I am particularly interested in the ways students communicate mathematical reasoning through talk, gesture, representations, and collaborative activity.

My work explores these processes across both classroom and technology-mediated learning environments, with an interest in the design of digital tools that support mathematical sense-making. I seek to better understand how learning environments can foster deeper engagement with mathematics while helping teachers recognize and build on students’ thinking.

Jane Pak

I am a graduate student at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the Department of Mathematics. I also received my bachelor’s at the University of Illinois, in Mathematics and English with a concentration in secondary education. Outside of being a graduate research assistant for this project, I also TA for the math department for the merit program, a program designed to assist underrepresented groups in mathematics.

My research interests lie in theoretical mathematics, as well as K-16 math education and equity. This project has allowed me to foster and actualize my interests in educational equity and humanizing mathematics for all.

Mayahuel Gutiérrez Malik

I am a design research assistant with the FRACTAL group at the University of Illinois Champaign Urbana. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Physical Design and Manufacturing at Stanford University, and specialize in bringing designs to life across all materials.

I am passionate about integrating design with education, and making design accessible for the next generations.