Part of our continuing series by educators, a contribution
written by Chevron Engineer Tongji Li.
PINOLE, CA—My name is Tongji Li, but I go by Youyou (pronounced yo-yo). I recently graduated from M.I.T with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and a concentration in Engineering Leadership. Hired straight out of school by Chevron, I am currently an employee in their northern California facility as an Oronite Development Engineer.*
L to R, back row: Asst. Coach Nate Quan, Chevron employees, a representative from Burger King (in purple shirt) and Pinole Mayor Peter Murray. Middle row: Mara Crooks, Speaker Stephanie New, Coach Youyou, Eddie Corriea, Jordan Goularte, Kayla Collins, Yongjia Huang, Nanthaya Mira Verweij). Front row: Vice Principal Esaul Orozco, Ruben Aguilar, Angelina Vuong, Irene Cisneros, Zoe Salswedel, Paula Marquez, Jeremy Edgerson, Lewis Corriea and Teacher Amy Robinson. (Photo credit: Charles Anderson)
I grew up in a single-parent household. We didn't have a lot of money, so my mom had to come up with creative games to amuse an energetic young girl like me.
When I entered middle school, I was so excited to find Bob Sun’s 24® game editions in my classroom—and to find out that there was a 24 Challenge® Tournament. I joined immediately! I loved it! Those math competitions were the happiest and most wonderful moments of my middle school years. They gave me perspective, inspired me to work hard, and instilled a life-long love of math—and learning.
Hoping to spread my love of math—and give underprivileged students an opportunity to expand their horizons—I worked with the West Contra Costa Unified School District and Pinole Principal Denise VanHook to implement a Math Club at Pinole Middle School in West Contra Costa County in late November of 2014.
Initially, I heard from several alumni that math was not a prominent extracurricular activity, and most students were supposedly not interested. I reasoned if that were true, it could simply be from lack of exposure. These students—and all students—have incredible potential, they might just not know it.
Since then, I have taken them to a MathCounts competition, and prepared them for the Mathematical Association of America’s AMC 8. The students showed incredible improvement since joining the Math Club, and armed with those positive results I presented a plan to convince the district and the school to allow me to organize a 24 Challenge® Tournament.
I contacted Suntex International, makers of the 24® game, and they were incredibly helpful, especially Suntex VP Barbara Asteak, who offered lots of guidance and put me in touch with California rep Jill Henderson. The kids were so excited to hear about the backing and support from the 24® game they drew a giant thank-you note on the classroom bulletin board.
With so much support, our May 28, 2015 event was a great success. If I had only one word to describe it, that word would be INSPIRATIONAL. If I am allowed to have more words, they would be AWESOME, AMAZING and FANTASTIC.
A giant Thank You note to Suntex was created on the classroom bulletin board, and signed by the members of the Pinole Middle School Math Club. (Photo credit: Charles Anderson)
During the competition, I had never seen the kids more focused, and there was an electric buzz of excitement in the air. All of the kids stayed after school and waited outside the room until the setup was done, when they all rushed in! The room filled with sounds of laughter, competitive jostling and mumbling of nervous wondering. However, when the competition began the silence was as though we vacuumed all the air out of the room. The only sound you could hear were card taps and solutions—or the occasional shutter click of a camera.
Sponsors from local Burger King and Krispy Kreme restaurants attended, and Pinole Mayor Peter Murray came and stayed the full two hours! We had six volunteers from Chevron, along with Math Club assistant coach, Nate Quan, and my visiting friend from MIT helping. I would like to thank them, and everyone that helped me give these students a great mathematics experience.
Why I am trying so hard to give these experiences to the kids—even though I don't work for the district and I'm not a teacher? Because it is my passion. I want to pass my love of math and learning on to all children. They are our future, and I want to help give them the best opportunity to succeed.
* What is an Oronite Development Engineer? According to Youyou, it is rotation of engineering positions that allows her to experience a new field in each of the first three years of employment. “The purpose is to allow us to see as much of the company as possible, to see what will best fit our strengths and passions.”