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Panel Sessions

Panel 1. A Common Vision for the Undergraduate Mathematics Program in 2025

Friday, August 7, 1:00 PM - 2:20 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Salon 1

The Mathematical Association of America (MAA) is partnering with other professional associations in the mathematical sciences – AMATYC, AMS, ASA, and SIAM – to consider how we might modernize our programs to better prepare students for the demands of the 21st century workplace. We aim to catalyze widespread adoption of curricula and pedagogies that are (1) geared toward developing a broad base of intellectual skills and competencies to better prepare students for the workforce and (2) simultaneously endorsed by a broad cross-section of the mathematical sciences community. Funded by the NSF, “A Common Vision for the Undergraduate Mathematics Program in 2025” will take stock of the curricular guides endorsed by the various associations, identify and articulate common themes, and lay a foundation for future work. Panelists will update the community on the project.

Karen Saxe, Macalester College
Linda Braddy, MAA

Panelists:
David Kung, St. Mary's College of Maryland
Uri Triesman, The University of Texas at Austin
Talitha Washington, Howard University

Panel 2. Applying for and Obtaining Grants

Thursday, August 6, 1:00 PM - 2:20 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Salon 1

Grants have always played a vital role in supporting faculty in a wide variety of activities. Now with decreased funding opportunities at many universities, there seems to be even more interest in procuring grants. In this session, panelists will provide suggestions on how to find and successfully apply for appropriate funding for projects involving undergraduate research, faculty scholarship, education reform, and the vast array of activities which faculty need financial resources to implement. Panelists have backgrounds in applying for a variety of federal grants as well as local grants. In addition, the panel has representation from funding agencies and can provide insight on what they look for when reviewing applications.

Julie Barnes, Western Carolina University

Panelists:
Michael Dorff,
Brigham Young University
Jessica Libertini, Virginia Military Institute
Jennifer Pearl, NSF Division of Mathematical Sciences
Charles Toll, NSA Mathematical Sciences Program
Lee Zia, NSF Division of Undergraduate Education

Committee on Professional Development

Panel 3. Beyond the Post-Doc: Fellowship Opportunities for Mathematics Faculty

Friday, August 7, 4:10 PM - 5:30 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Salon 1

The availability of high-quality fellowship programs provides exciting opportunities for mathematics professionals at various stages of their careers. Panelists in this session will describe fellowships they recently participated in, including Fulbright and AAAS Science & Technology Policy fellowships. They will offer details and insights from the application process forward. After opening remarks, the session will become an open dialogue during which speakers enter into active dialogues with session attendees to provide additional details and information.

Linda McGuire, Muhlenberg College

Panelists:
Beth Burroughs,
Montana State University
Karen Saxe, Macalester College
Katherine Socha, The Park School of Baltimore

Panel 4. A Discussion of the MAA/NCTM Joint Position Statement on Calculus

Wednesday, August 5, 4:10 PM - 5:30 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Delaware A

In 2012, members of the MAA and NCTM released a joint position statement on calculus. The goal of the statement is to provide a clear vision of how calculus instruction should occur given that is the course most students planning to enter mathematically intensive careers take as they exit secondary school and/or again as they enter college. The increase in students taking calculus in secondary schools across the US has had several unwanted effects including students with an inadequate foundation in algebra, geometry and trigonometry and enrolling in calculus multiple times (secondary school and college), basically repeating the course. Although calculus can play an important role in secondary school, the ultimate goal of the K–12 mathematics curriculum should not be to get students into and through a course in calculus by twelfth grade but to have established the mathematical foundation that will enable students to pursue whatever course of study interests them when they get to college. The college curriculum should offer students an experience that is new and engaging, broadening their understanding of the world of mathematics while strengthening their mastery of tools that they will need if they choose to pursue a mathematically intensive discipline. Representatives from the MAA and NCTM will discuss the statement, the background for developing the statement and recommendations for the design of calculus programs at the post-secondary level recognizing the different backgrounds and goals of potential students.

Jessica Deshler, West Virginia University

Panelists:
David Bressoud,
Macalester College
Michael Boardman, Pacific University
Gail Burrill, Michigan State University
Dan Teague, NC School of Science and Mathematics

Committee on Professional Development

Panel 5. Big Data in the Undergraduate Mathematics Curriculum

Saturday, August 8, 2:35 PM - 3:55 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Delaware A

Big Data is a popular buzzword, but it is also a reality in many new jobs. How can we prepare students in data science, within existing courses and in new ones? How can faculty retrain to handle these courses? How does the material fit into the mathematics curriculum, rather than strictly computer science, statistics or other fields? What efforts are underway to answer these questions? On this panel, mathematics faculty with experience creating and delivering instruction in data science will share their experiences.

Rachel Levy, Harvey Mudd College, SIAM VP for Education
Kathleen Fowler, Clarkson University

Panelists:
Talithia Williams
, Harvey Mudd College
Chad Higdon-Topaz, Macalester College
Sherry Towers, Arizona State University
Peter Turner, Clarkson University

SIAM Education Committee

Panel 6. The Updated AP Calculus AB/BC Courses: What Does This Mean For You?

Wednesday, August 5, 2:35 PM - 3:55 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Delaware A

In November 2014, College Board announced that AP Calculus was the latest subject to go through the redesign process, and the updated courses will launch in the 2016-2017 academic year. This session will provide details on how the AP Calculus AB and AP Calculus BC courses have changed both in terms of course content and student expectations. The panel will include representatives from College Board and ETS, as well as some of the authors of the new AP Calculus Curriculum Framework. There will be time in the session for the panelists to answer questions from the audience.

Benjamin Hedrick, College Board

Panelists:
Stephen Kokoska,
Bloomsburg University
Stephen Davis, Davidson College
Gail Burrill, Michigan State University
James Sellers, Penn State University
Craig Wright, Educational Testing Service
Vicki Cater, West Florence High School
Benjamin Hedrick, College Board

Panel 7. Implementing the 2015 CUPM Curriculum Guide

Wednesday, August 5, 1:00 PM - 2:20 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Delaware A

CUPM will present practical advice on how to succeed in curriculum assessment, renewal, and reform. Panelists will discuss necessary considerations and steps in the process of (re)designing a mathematical sciences major or major track The resulting curriculum should implement the recommendations of the 2015 CUPM Curriculum Guide to Majors in the Mathematical Sciences.

Martha Siegel, Towson University

Panelists:
Beth Burroughs, Montana State University
Joel Cunningham, Sewanee, The University of the South
Stephen deBacker, University of Michigan
Jill Dietz, St. Olaf College

Panel 8. What Mathematics Do Engineering Students Need to Know in the First Two Years? (And What if It Doesn’t Start With Calculus?)

Thursday, August 6, 2:35 PM - 3:55 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Salon 1

Mathematics is an essential component of the education of future engineers, but what mathematics do engineers need to know, when should they learn it, how will they learn it best, and what role does mathematics play in attracting and retaining students in engineering? A recent longitudinal (10-year) study on the success of Wright State University’s innovative engineering curriculum, which (gasp!) does not start with the standard calculus sequence, offers an innovative example of how we might re-imagine a modern mathematics/engineering curriculum partnership. Panelists will discuss the Wright State model and other trends in engineering education that might affect mathematics curricula and will highlight what we learned about the mathematical needs of engineering students from the MAA’s Curriculum Foundations Project. Given the engineering community’s influence on the calculus curriculum, we all have a vested interest in this conversation – whether or not we teach future engineers. Department chairs and academic leaders are especially encouraged to attend.

Wade Ellis, West Valley Community College
Suzanne Dorée, Augsburg College

Panelists:
Nathan Klingbeil, Wright State University
Susan Ganter, East Carolina University
Jenna Carpenter, Louisiana Tech University

Curriculum Renewal Across the First Two Years (CRAFTY) Committee
Mathematics Across the Disciplines (MAD) Committee

Panel 9. Quantitative Literacy and Democracy

Saturday, August 8, 1:00 PM - 2:20 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Delaware A

For decades, mathematics educators such as Lynn Steen (ed., Mathematics and Democracy) and Robert Moses (The Algebra Project) have argued that quantitative literacy is necessary for a citizen’s full participation in contemporary society. As we meet in our nation’s capital, we invite panelists to reflect on how quantitative literacy supports and contributes to democracy. Questions may include: How does quantitative literacy enable participation in high quality debate over public issues? How can quantitative literacy support social advocacy? How do quantitative arguments affect legal proceedings? What should a citizen understand about the mathematics of voting, apportionment, gerrymandering, and other political issues?

Gary Franchy, Southwestern Michigan College
Gizem Karaali, Pomona College
Andrew J Miller, Belmont University
Aaron Montgomery, Central Washington University
Victor Piercey, Ferris State University

Panelists:
Lily Khadjavi, Loyola Marymount University
Maura Mast, Fordham University
Rob Root, Lafayette College

SIGMAA QL

Panel 10. Nonacademic Career Paths for Mathematicians

Friday, August 7, 2:35 PM - 3:55 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Salon 1

You’re about to earn a degree in mathematics, now what? You may be surprised to know that teaching isn’t your only option; in the “real world” mathematical knowledge is a valued commodity and there are many interesting job opportunities for mathematicians in nonacademic settings. So, whether you are a mathematics student looking for a job once you graduate or an advisor looking for advice to give to future job-seeking students, this session will help you gain new perspectives on nonacademic career experiences and what employers value in their employees. Panelists will share their paths to their current positions and offer advice to others looking for employment in similar venues.

Ben Galluzzo, Shippensburg University
Dora Ahmadi, Morehead State University

Panelists:
Amir Ahmadi, Ryder
Jill Montaquila, Westat
Karen Patterson, Naval Research Laboratory
Greg Sternschuss, National Security Agency

MAA Committee on Undergraduate Student Activities and Chapters

Panel 11. Congratulations on Getting Tenure! Now What?

Wednesday, August 5, 4:10 PM - 5:30 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Washington 6

This session is designed for faculty who have recently received tenure and are thinking about what lies ahead. For those planning a sabbatical, transitioning to a new research area, taking on a major service obligation, or making a change in their academic priorities, our panelists will provide guidance and expertise for developing a new set of goals.

The discussion panel topics will be:

  • Writing your first textbook or expository article
  • Adapting a new area of research
  • Taking on a new leadership role

Allison Henrich, Seattle University
Patrick X. Rault, SUNY Geneseo

Project NExT (Red 08 Dots)

Panelists:
Colin Adams, Williams College
Shannon Overbay, Gonzaga University
Inga Johnson, Willamette University

Panel 12. Finding Your New Niche: Staying Fresh

Thursday, August 6, 4:10 PM - 5:30 PM, Marriott Wardman Park, Washington 6

This panel of early Project NExT participants will explore the wide range of roles we have taken on in our careers, offering insight in how to stay engaged and enthusiastic in our work. Topics will include mentoring new faculty, authoring textbooks, serving as an academic administrator, working outside academia, and leadership in mathematics organizations.

Gertrud L. Kraut, Southern Virginia University
Emily Puckette, University of the South

Project NExT (Red dots)

Panelists:
Doug Ensley, Shippensburg University
Jenny McNulty, University of Montana
Tim Ray, NSA
Elsa Schaefer, Marymount University

Year: 
2015