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| December 1998 Math curriculum project The SIMMS Project, which integrates real-world math, science and technology in high school textbooks, earned the Governor's Award with a "module" -- chapter -- on AIDS and HIV. On behalf of the Montana Council of Teachers of Mathematics, UM math Professor Johnny Lott accepted the prestigious Governor's Award from Superintendent of Public Instruction Nancy Keenan at a World AIDS Day luncheon in Helena Dec. 1. Lott is co-director of the SIMMS Project, a mathematics curriculum funded through MCTM with a grant from the National Science Foundation. The award-winning module, "AIDS: The Preventable Epidemic," uses information from the U.S. government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to demonstrate death rates and probabilities of contracting the disease. "It's real-world data," Lott said. "We approached it from a purely mathematical standpoint. What we tried to do is to let (students) reach their own conclusion that the best way of being safe is to avoid risky behavior." The SIMMS Project curriculum is being used by students across the country, including about 8,000 students at 75 high schools in Montana. "AIDS: The Preventable Epidemic" is part of the SIMMS Project's goal of helping students use mathematics to make better decisions. "I think most young people ... really appreciate the honesty in it," Keenan said. "And it has survived criticism from those who think that we should not have any discussion about HIV and AIDS in schools." Ten Governor's Awards were given out this year -- five by the Office of Public Instruction and five by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. The Governor's Award recognizes Montana's exemplary educators on AIDS and HIV issues. -- Patia Stephens
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