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Other Mathematical Sessions

Project NExT Lecture 

Reducing Stereotype Threat in the Mathematics Classroom 

Wednesday, August 5, 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM, Marriott Wardman Park, Salon 1

Catherine GoodBaruch College, City University of New York

Research has shown that stereotype threat can negatively affect student performance in the classroom. What exactly is it? What causes it? How can we mitigate its effects in the classroom? In this presentation, we will examine research on stereotype threat as well as interventions to reduce its effects on our students. This presentation is intended for all audiences.

MAA Section Officers Meeting

Wednesday, August 5, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Wilson A/B/C

This session is moderated by Elizabeth Mayfield, Hood College, Chair of the MAA Committee on Sections. It is open to all section officers and their guests. Our discussion will focus on outreach efforts in the Sections – to high school students and teachers, to community college faculty, and others.

Special Panel Session on Science Policy

Wednesday, August 5, 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Salon 2/3

Science and policy interact in many ways. Mathematical scientists – including mathematicians, applied mathematicians, statisticians, computer scientists, and mathematical sciences educators – can contribute to initiatives to advance national priorities that are in the best interests of all citizens. A key aspect of this interaction centers on education in the mathematical sciences, currently in the national spotlight due to the role it plays in economic mobility as well as its prominence in recent reports such as "Engage to Excel: Producing One Million Additional College Graduates with Degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics" (President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, 2012) and "The Mathematical Sciences in 2025" (National Research Council, 2013).

This panel will focus on the role that mathematicians and mathematics educators can play in addressing national priorities such as increasing college completion rates and improving the STEM skills of all graduates. Panelists will also discuss concrete ways to get involved in policy matters at the local, state, and national levels.

Linda Braddy, MAA
Karen Saxe, Macalester College

Panelists:
James Gates, University of Maryland
David Manderscheid, Ohio State University
Rush Holt, Chief Executive Officer, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Executive Publisher, Science Family of Journals

Click here to read panelist biographies.

Committee on Science Policy

MAA Prize Session

Thursday, August 6, 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Salon 2/3

The session is organized by Barbara Faires, Westminster College, MAA Secretary, and is moderated by Francis Su, Harvey Mudd College, MAA President.

Presidential Reminiscences

Thursday, August 6, 3:00 PM - 4:45 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Salon 2/3

Past presidents of the MAA will share memories of their time in office and offer their thoughts on the future of the Association. Francis Su, current president of the MAA, will introduce the session.

Victor Katz, University of the District of Columbia
Jim Tattersall, Providence College

Speakers

Henry O. Pollack, Teachers College, Columbia University; MAA President 1975-1976
Lynn Steen (Paul Zorn with video presentation by Gerry Alexanderson), MAA President 1985-1986
Gerald Alexanderson (Frank Farris), MAA President 1997-1998
Lida K. Barrett, West Point (retired); MAA President 1989-1990
Kenneth Ross, University of Oregon (professor emeritus); MAA President 1995-1996
Thomas F. Banchoff, Brown University; MAA President 1999-2000

The Man Who Knew Infinity: Sneak Peek and Expert Panel

Thursday, August 6, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Salon 2/3

The Man Who Knew Infinity film will be released in late 2015. The film, which stars Jeremy Irons and Dev Patel, is based on the New York Times Best Selling biography of Srinivasa Ramanujan by Robert Kanigel. An expert panel will discuss Ramanujan, his life, and the film. The panel will include: Matthew Brown (Director of the film), Manjul Bhargava (Mathematician), Robert Kanigel (biographer), Ken Ono (Mathematician). A sneak peek of the film will be screened.

Ken Ono, Emory University

Alder Award Session 

Friday, August 7, 2:00 PM - 3:20 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Salon 2/3

Presentations by the Alder Award recipients. The session will be moderated Francis Su, Harvey Mudd College, MAA President.

Click here to see abstracts of the talks in this session.

Reality Shifting: Building Mathematical Confidence

2:00 PM - 2:20 PM
Talithia WilliamsHarvey Mudd College

A Taste of Research

2:30 PM - 2:50 PM
Patrick X. RaultSUNY Geneseo

Be Inspirable!

3:00 PM - 3:20 PM
Allison K. HenrichSeattle University

Estimathon!

Friday, August 7, 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Maryland C

They're called Fermi problems...
How many stop signs are in New York City?
How heavy is the Empire State Building?
How many primes have distinct digits?
If you're looking for a mindbending mixture of math and trivia, look no further! Jane Street Capital presents The Estimathon contest: attempt 13 Fermi problems in 30 minutes, ranging from totally trivial to positively Putnamesque. Work in teams to come up with the best set of confidence intervals. The top teams will receive prizes!

Andy Niedermaier, Jane Street Capital

Presidential Reminiscences

Friday, August 7, 3:45 PM - 6:00 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Salon 2/3

Past presidents of the MAA will share memories of their time in office and offer their thoughts on the future of the Association. Francis Su, current president of the MAA, will introduce the session.

Victor Katz, University of the District of Columbia
Jim Tattersall, Providence College

Speakers

Ann E. Watkins, California State University Northridge; MAA President 2001-2002
Ronald L. Graham, University of California, San Diego; MAA President 2003-2004
Carl C. Cowen, Indiana University - Purdue; MAA President 2005-2006
Joseph A. Gallian, University of Minnesota Duluth; MAA President 2007-2008
David M. Bressoud, Macalester College; MAA President 2009-2010
Paul M. Zorn, St. Olaf College; MAA President 2011-2012
Robert L. Devaney, Boston University; MAA President 2013-2014

Special Presentation for High School Students, Parents, and Teachers

A Dozen Proofs that 1=2: An Accessible and Quirky Overview of Mathematics for K-12 Teachers and Their Students

Saturday, August 8, 1:00 PM – 1:50 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Salon 2

James Tanton, The Saint Mark’s Mathematics Institute and MAA 

Guidobaldo del Monte (1545-1647), a patron and friend of Galileo Galilei, believed he had witnessed the creation of something out of nothing when he established mathematically that zero equals one. He thereby thought he had proven the existence of God! James Tanton doesn't claim to be so bold, but he is willing to prove instead that one equals two. And, moreover, just to convince you that he is right, he will do so a dozen times over, drawing upon a wide spectrum of mathematical techniques: school algebra and arithmetic, probability and mechanics, pure thought and physical action! Will you be able to find fault with any of his "proofs?" This will be a math talk of the like you've never seen before. All are welcome!

MAA Council on Outreach

Great Talks for a General Audience: Coached Presentations by Graduate Students

Saturday, August 8, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Maryland C

Presenters in this session must be graduate students. While many graduate students will be asked to give a lecture to a general audience, which includes undergraduates and non-mathematicians as part of a job interview, most students do not have experience talking to a non-research audience. This session gives graduate students the opportunity to give a 20-minute talk aimed at an undergraduate audience, which has been exposed to calculus and some linear algebra. Both the talks and abstracts should be designed to excite a wide range of undergraduates about mathematics. All participants in this session will receive private feedback on their presentations from an established faculty member and an undergraduate student. Time permitting, a discussion of effective techniques for delivering great general-audience talks will occur at the end of the session. Contact Jim Freeman (jfreeman@cornellcollege.edu),Rachel Schwell (schwellrac@ccsu.edu) or Aliza Steurer (asteurer@dom.edu) for help on writing an abstract and preparing a talk for a general audience. Informal optional sessions will be held on Thursday and Friday for session participants to get feedback on their presentations from the session organizers. Graduate student participants in this session should also attend the graduate student workshop (What’s the Story?) on mathematical presentations. A limited amount of travel support is available and will be processed in the order received. Contact a session organizer on how to apply for funds. Abstracts must be submitted by May 1, 2015.

James Freeman, Cornell College
Rachel Schwell, Central Connecticut State University
Aliza Steurer, Dominican University

MAA Committee on Graduate Students

Math Circle Demonstration

Saturday, August 8, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Maryland A

A math circle is an enrichment experience that brings mathematics professionals in direct contact with pre-college students and/or their teachers. Circles foster passion and excitement for deep mathematics. This demonstration session offers the opportunity for conference attendees to observe and then discuss a math circle experience designed for local students. While students are engaged in a mathematical investigation, mathematicians will have a discussion focused on appreciating and better understanding the organic and creative process of learning that circles offer, and on the logistics and dynamics of running an effective circle.

Katherine Morrison, University of Northern Colorado
Japheth Wood, New York Math Circle

SIGMAA MCST

Math Wrangle

Saturday, August 8, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Maryland A

Math Wrangle will pit teams of students against each other, the clock, and a slate of great math problems. The format of a Math Wrangle is designed to engage students in mathematical problem solving, promote effective teamwork, provide a venue for oral presentations, and develop critical listening skills. A Math Wrangle incorporates elements of team sports and debate, with a dose of strategy tossed in for good measure. The intention of the Math Wrangle demonstration at the Math Fest is to show how teachers, schools, circles, and clubs can get students started in this exciting combination of mathematical problem solving with careful argumentation via public speaking, strategy and rebuttal.

Mark Saul, MAA American Mathematics Competitions
Ed Keppelmann, University of Nevada

SIGMAA MCST

Year: 
2015