WS Chronicle

In photo above: Dejur McDean, Chanze Blacknall, Suzanne Leyva, Forrest Henderson, Annie Simeon and Miaysha Bryant, are seniors at Parkland Magnet School and have explored a different side of math thanks to Ms. Wilks and the IB Math Studies I course. (Photo by Erin Mizelle for the Winston-Salem Chronicle)

By Tevin Stinson
The Chronicle

When discussing the subject of math, fun and imagination aren’t usually words that come to mind. But for the students in Brigette Wilks IB (International Baccalaureate) Math Studies I course at Parkland Magnet High School, they are part of every lesson.

The course is intended to engage learning while taking the students outside of the classroom to familiarize them with the real world.

On Wednesday, May, 27, the students in Wilks’ class presented “A Taste of Internationalism.” Each student had to imagine he or she was well into his or her career and were planning a vacation to a country of his or her choice, and come up with a presentation relating to that country.

From musical performances to commercials, the students showed the parents and staff in attendance the many ways high school math can be exciting.
Wilks, a former flight attendant, said the IB course was perfect for her because she loves math and travel.

“Our theme is internationalism,” Wilks said. “I’ve done that, so to be able to engage these students in a real way was perfect.”

While on their dream vacations, students were responsible for calculating all expenses and currency exchange.

As expected, when you hear IB Math, some studies were reluctant to take the course.

Annie Simeon said at first she didn’t want to take the class, but Wilks made an impact on the first day of class and she realized this class was unlike any other.

“On the first day, she made a rap,” said Annie “After that, I knew I made the right decision to take the class.”

Wilks said although a lot of her students didn’t really enjoy math at the beginning, through engagement she changed their minds.

“It’s amazing with what these kids were able to come up with just because they were having fun and engaging.”

The class is available to juniors and seniors. An IB Math Studies II course is also available. The seniors in the class believe that the class has really helped them prepare for college and life after college.

Senior Kyra Brown, who happens to be the granddaughter of Wilks, will be attending North Carolina A&T University in the fall.

Kyra said she knows that she will look back on this class 10 years from now and remember the bonds and friendships she made with her classmates.
“I will be studying journalism at A&T,” Brown said. “I know the things we learned has really prepared me for working with others and using math in the real world.”

Wilks said her students are a group of go getters and she has no doubt that they will all be successful.

Seven students in the class will be graduating in June while many of the juniors say they will take the second course next year.

“I have a classroom full of go-getters,”said Wilks “They want it, and they’re going to go get it.”