Blountville, TN - May 3, 2012 - Sullivan County Schools, in partnership with Northeast State Community College and area businesses, plans to implement an applied mathematics program founded by Perry Wilson.  Wilson demonstrated his "If I Had a Hammer" program at Northeast State Community College on May 3rd.  Participants experienced the hands-on, applied approach to learning fractions and measurement.

As part of the program, fifth grade students are engaged in a 2-hour construction and learning session that results in a free-standing 8' x 11' modular house, complete with windows, roof, and door. While building the house, students move from construction phases to short group activities and demonstrations designed to reinforce the academic and real-world lessons incorporated in the build.  The house can then be taken down and rebuilt by other classes. The follow-up curriculum then helps students make real-world connections to abstract mathematical concepts.