Petra Menz

Senior Lecturer

PhD Mathematics · Simon Fraser University ·  2015
BEd Mathematics and Computing Sciences · University of British Columbia · 1996
MSc Mathematics · University of British Columbia · 1994
BSc Mathematics and Computing Sciences · University of Toronto · 1992

Tel: 778.782.3070
Fax: 778.782.4947
pmenz@sfu.ca
Office: SC K10513

Teaching Interests

I am committed to teaching mathematics at the undergraduate level. In my role as instructor, I show my enthusiasm for mathematics, use a variety of teaching strategies to support my students' learning, establish a supportive environment with high expectations, and encourage student feedback. I have come to understand that learning is life-long and that reflection can bring about change. I continuously pick up valuable information from research in education as well as mathematics and seek opportunities to apply this information to my own teaching.

I have taught everything from small classes (20-40 students) to large classes (500 students). I have taught FAN X99, MATH 100, MATH 151/152/251, MATH 157, MATH 160 and MATH 190 at SFU as well as Finite Mathematics for Management Sciences, Linear Algebra I and II, and Partial Differential Equations at UNB.

Research Interests

My research interests are in diagramming and gesturing in mathematics. I seek to advance the theories of Gilles Châtelet, who regards the diagram as the place of mathematical invention. In this view, the diagram is regarded as a material site: gestures, such as touching a line or tracing through the lines in a diagram, are evidence that the mathematical objects and relationships depicted in the diagram are physical to a mathematician. I am currently interested in exposing the relationship that exists between a diagram and a mathematician through an embodied as well as material lens, and investigate its implication for the teaching and learning of mathematics.