Cliff Freeman

Cliff Freeman is the Director of STEM Programs at The Young People’s Project and a first year PhD student at Boston University, studying mathematics and science education. He is particularly interested in innovative and equitable approaches that broaden participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and careers for populations of youth who have been historically underrepresented. His journey to this point began in the 10th grade when he began working at the Young People’s Project, when it was awarded a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation. His main responsibility was to design, prepare, and implement how he and his peers would teach math and computer science lessons to hundreds of middle and elementary school students in his neighborhood. His STEM story is a story he hopes millions of other disenfranchised youth can replicate: in his case, this journey led him from being a student, to professional work as a young adult, and eventually into research in the STEM education field.

2021 Festival

What’s the Big Idea: A Game Show Featuring Students and Mathematicians

Join elementary, middle, and high school students for a whirlwind presentation of big ideas in math — presented by mathematicians — and judged by students! Students will assess the mathematicians' explanations based on fun and clarity. Audience members participate in voting too, so come ready to listen and vote on your favorite big math ideas. This show is presented by the Young People's Project, which uses a near-peer mentoring model to support student achievement in math.