MATH 494 was a unique opportunity to apply mathematics in innovative, real-world ways. With a focus on baseball analytics and sabermetrics, the course challenged me to use math not just to solve problems, but to generate insights. I learned how to analyze player performance using advanced statistical models and worked on coding assignments in R that mirrored the kind of analysis used by professionals in the field.

One of my proudest accomplishments was designing an R-based tool that retrieves slash line statistics from a baseball database. Making it usable online gave the project real-world relevance and showed me how math and programming can come together to solve meaningful problems. Guest sessions with ODU’s baseball team reinforced how analytics can inform real decisions in sports, adding an extra layer of purpose to the work.

This course also helped me grow professionally. Working independently on a project from concept to execution taught me how to think creatively, manage my time, and reflect critically. It even shaped how I approach lesson planning, seeing it as a process of identifying a need, building a solution, and adjusting based on outcomes. MATH 494 helped me see how math can be both powerful and personal, and it inspired me to bring that mindset into my future classroom.