HOW 2020 WAS A MASSIVE TRIUMPH IN ONE SMALL PLACE: A THREAD. On January 1, 2020, I started answering the problems from the Mathematics 2020 calendar. This is a calendar with a problem for every day, with the conceit that the answer is almost always the date, so the answer on 1/9

the 1st will be 1, on the 13th will be 13, etc. The problems range from simple arithmetic to advanced group theory and esoteric areas of mathematics. I graduated this year with my bachelor's in math, so I could do a majority of it (not nearly all). The #dailymaths became a 2/9

group effort here quite quickly, and by the end of January we had our first guest mathematician post from a kid. We lost Katherine Johnson in February, a mathematical heroine for all time. Then March 2020 happened. The world imploded, and suddenly we were all homeschool maths 3/9

students, tutors, teachers; we were all autodidacts, and knowing what an exponential curve is became a function of citizenship, not just maths class. I spent my spring break week--after which I never returned to campus--sending DMs to find more guest mathematicians, asking 4/9

myself if it was even remotely possible to succeed. Could this project really be completed? It would be tough in any year, but 2020 was turning into a living nightmare. With help, advice, listening ears, and mathematical insight from four current or retired STEM professionals 5/9

(my undying gratitude to @drrollergator @JohnsonFido @drunkcynic and @pgeerkens, without whom this project would've died at ten weeks old, unmourned), not even COVID stopped #dailymaths. I got COVID in July and suffered a relapse of mononucleosis; we did not miss a day. The 6/9

help of my "council of elders", a year into this, means that this twitter account has an amazing resource under #dailymaths, with high-quality pedagogy on a variety of mathematical topics and the many ways that people can "show your work" modeled for us all. MOST important, 7/9

dozens of guest mathematicians, including many children, have gained confidence as mathematicians--and HAD FUN DOING IT! The #dailymaths will continue in 2021, as we're having too much fun to stop. Thank you all so much for following, participating, and supporting this little 8/9

project, now far bigger than I ever dreamed it would be. Thanks to the donors who sponsored prizes, the parents who let their kids share answers, everyone who read and enjoyed the stories, and everyone who swallowed their math-phobia and tried a problem. Onward to 2021! /end

ADDENDUM: the Mathematics 2021 calendar is available now. Send me a DM or email GWOMaths at gmail if you, your students, or your kids would like to participate as guest mathematicians! https://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-2021-Epsilon-Calendar-December/dp/1631066986/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=mathematics+2021&qid=1609371741&sr=8-2

ADDENDUM THE SECOND: one of the calendar authors is on twitter, and you should follow her! @Math_Evangelist