The objectives of the photo contest assignment are to encourage students to identify mathematics in
their natural environment, to delve deeply into the mathematics represented in that photograph and to
consider using such evidence as motivation for the learning of mathematics in their own classrooms.
As educators, we are constantly seeking connections between the content we teach and our everyday
environment: this assignment formalizes that process and allows students to share ideas with other
practicing and prospective teachers. The development of the assignment was inspired by the Physics
and Art Exhibition (see following section for details), the Mathematical Lens column of the
Mathematics Teacher and the Mathematics Association of America’s Found Math Gallery