After being inactive for several years, Mu Alpha Theta is finally making its return to Bryant High School. Advised by Cameron Sharpe and Kristianna Peckat, the math honor society is making a fresh comeback, giving students a chance to challenge themselves, connect with others and celebrate math in a fun, collaborative way. 

The club lost momentum in recent years following the COVID-19 pandemic when school activities came to a halt. Math specialist Kristianna Peckat had also moved temporarily for her husband’s job. By the time Peckat returned to Bryant, participation had dropped dramatically.

“Enrollment was in the single digits that year and all of the activities we had participated in in previous years were stopped due to COVID protocols,” Peckat said. “It was also my first year back at BHS, so the students did not know me well.”

Second-year math teacher Cameron Sharpe saw an opportunity to help bring the club back to life.  Despite being relatively new to the district, the task seemed like a natural fit.

“I’ve always wanted to be involved with something like Mu Alpha Theta, and I feel like I’ve found my ‘forever home’ here at Bryant High School,” Sharpe said. “So, when I learned that the chapter was inactive, I was immediately interested in starting it back up.” 

With the club now re-established, the pair are focusing on steps needed to rebuild and grow the program. 

“Our biggest goal is just to get things moving in the right direction. We are hoping to have students participate in some of the virtual math competitions that are offered to Mu Alpha Theta members,” Peckat said. 

As they look forward to the new activities and opportunities the club will provide, Sharpe emphasizes the deeper value that Mu Alpha Theta offers to students. 

“Math is so much more than just crunching numbers, and there is real beauty in the field that we don’t necessarily get to explore in our normal classwork,” Sharpe said.