In a mission that goes far beyond the classroom, the University of Cauca and its people sow knowledge and transform lives across diverse settings. In that mission, one that is gradually breaking down walls, Professor Samin Cerón has turned her passion for mathematics into a social outreach project that inspires, educates, and connects knowledge. With her initiative “Mathematics to the Streets”, she has reached hundreds of children and young people in Popayán and other municipalities of Cauca, proving that the learning process can be more effective when it involves games, laughter, and community work.

A Mathematics graduate from the University of Cauca, Samin Cerón has dedicated her life to teaching, researching, and sharing a discipline that is often perceived as distant or inaccessible. From her first steps as an adjunct professor, her journey has been marked by commitment and gratitude. Passionate about education, she pursued a Master’s in Mathematics at the University of Valle, and later a Master’s in the Didactics of Mathematics at UNIR, before embarking, thanks to the support of her husband Wilson Martínez, on a PhD at the University of Santiago de Chile. When she returned to her Alma Mater, she not only brought back more knowledge, but also a profound desire to give back to her university and her students everything she had learned: the seed of expanding her scope had taken root.

Thus, in 2018, “Mathematics to the Streets” was born, within the context of the student movement. Thanks to the initiative of students from the Mathematics and Mathematics Education programs, who, amid an assembly, proposed bringing their knowledge into public spaces, the idea quickly materialized. With the support of professors, they set up the first stands in plazas such as Santo Domingo and Parque Caldas, where they shared games, explanations, and reflections on public education. Since then, the project has grown, become institutionalized, and reached different territories in the department, consolidating itself as a powerful strategy of learning, community, and transformation.

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For Professor Samin, “Mathematics to the Streets” is far more than an academic event:
“It has been a challenge, and it has been possible to combine mathematical knowledge with playfulness. I can have fun and I can learn. What is most meaningful is that it emerged from the initiative of the students, they are the soul of the event. They are the ones who organize the stands, and with their way of explaining, they manage to captivate children. Without them, none of this would be possible.”

This inspiring journey has been enriched by the support of key figures who shaped Samin Cerón’s path. From her undergraduate years, Professor Carlos Alberto Trujillo was a driving force in her continuous formation. During her Master’s, Guillermo Ortiz served as a vital guide, while in Chile, Professor Enrique Reyes revealed to her the gentler side of mathematics. The unconditional support of Professor Wilson Martínez has been fundamental, along with the valuable contributions of faculty who have boosted “Mathematics to the Streets”, including Martha Bobadilla, Gabriela Arbeláez, Aldo Parra, Elkin Cárdenas, Ramiro Acevedo, Rosana Pérez, Carlos Trujillo, the Dean of the Faculty of Natural, Exact, and Educational Sciences, Dr. Jairo Roa, and the Vice-Rectory of Research, led by Professor Francisco Pino. The initiative has also thrived thanks to the contributions of the entire Department faculty, research groups, and the current leadership of Professor Julieta Martínez.

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In this way, “Mathematics to the Streets” has not only redefined spaces, but also cultivated new vocations. Several students from the Mathematics Education program, who first encountered the project while still in school, are now active participants or outstanding graduates. The experience has been especially enriching in schools with children who have hearing impairments, who have been able to join the initiative thanks to the support of Unicauca students and the invaluable work of interpreters. The intergenerational impact is also evident as alumni invite the project to the schools where they now teach, spreading the enthusiasm, and even love, for mathematics.

From the University of Cauca, we celebrate with deep gratitude the tireless commitment of Professor Samin Cerón and the entire team of teachers and students who bring “Mathematics to the Streets” to life. Initiatives like this are the living expression of how public universities weave knowledge and transform realities, radiating joy and relevance to every corner of our territories. That is why we extend a special invitation to all young people: get closer to mathematics, discover its beauty, explore its utility, and allow it to become an ally in your personal and professional journey.

“Mathematics is everywhere. Sometimes we don’t see it, but it’s there, in the decisions we make, in games, in daily life. Even if it’s difficult, we can overcome our fear of it, fall in love with it, and find that balance between rigorous study and the enjoyment it can bring,” shared an emotional Professor Samin.

With initiatives like these, our university reaffirms its commitment to quality, inclusive, and socially conscious education. Knowledge does not stay within walls: it walks, it plays, it is shared, and it leaves us with lessons for life itself. What a source of pride to break molds and take to the streets, #WithUnicaucaSpirit!

 

Written by: Center for Communications Management