MULTIMODAL MATHS
POSITION: RESEARCH ASSISTANT | 2021-2022
Supervised By: Dr. Summer R Bateiha, Sadia Mir & Law Alsobrook.
A series of illustrations were created in collaboration with the Multimodal Maths Lab to represent mathematical problems in a visually appealing and fun way for children. These illustrations draw from the culture and traditions of the Middle Eastern region, more specifically the Arabian Gulf. This is to give the younger generations a chance to be familiarized with the scenarios present in these math problems, as well as provide them with the representation that is needed in the educational realm.
The Multimodal Maths Research Lab is funded by VCUarts Qatar. The lab aims to decolonize the mathematics curriculum through the arts. For more information, you may visit the website at multimodalmath.com
ILLUSTRATION FOR A DIVISION RELATED QUESTION (2022)
What an evening! Garangao was always so much fun. Neighborhoods across the city were alive with laughter and song. Families visited families and children got dressed up and were given treats to celebrate their fasting during Ramadan. The full moon always shone bright in the sky lighting the way for all, and offered a safe way home. At the end of the night, there was one more treat in Ali and Najla’s house. It was their mother’s famous tray of baklawa. Their mother cut the baklawa into fourths. Then, she cut each fourth into three equal pieces so everyone could have an equal piece. What fraction was each piece?
ILLUSTRATION FOR A FRACTIONS RELATED QUESTION (2021)
It is Ramadan. The sky is clear except for the bright orange and yellow setting sun which marks the breaking of fast. All across the city, families sit down for iftar. In one home, Ali watches his mother cut the perfectly round kunafeh, his favorite dessert. His mother cuts five pieces, one for each member of the family. Four of the pieces are the same size, and the fifth piece is ½ the size of each of the others. Ali gets the smallest piece and exclaims, “It’s so small!” His mother looks at him with a smile. She knows his eyes are bigger than his stomach. “We must all be grateful for the food we eat, Ali.” She continues, “Ok, let’s play a game. If you can answer the next question, and if you are still hungry, I will share my piece with you.” Ali nods. “What fraction of the kunafeh is the smallest piece?”
MULTIMODAL: SOCIAL MEDIA
RESEARCH ASSISTANT | 2021-2022
Supervised By: Dr. Summer R Bateiha, Sadia Mir & Law Alsobrook.
A series of callout posters and slides created in the early stages of the research lab, in order to assist in spreading the word about the ‘storytelling through math’ workshops that were held on campus at VCUarts Qatar. This is where the initial branding and colour scheme for the overall research lab was also implemented throughout the design.
