You are here

MAA Math Alert - October 2010

News and Views

MAA News
MAA seeks a new Director for the MAA Tensor Women and Mathematics Program.

Annalisa Crannell Combines "Math and Art" at MAA Distinguished Lecture
In her recent Carraige House lecture, Crannell focused on the use of mathematics to help create realistic artworks. Read more about the lecture or listen to it. Try Crannell's math challenge.

Updated Math Archives Spotlight Page
MAA intern Rachel Kirsch spent the summer updating and supplementing MAA's series of articles on the Archives of American Mathematics.

"Who Was Miss Mullikin?"
In 1946R.L. Moore, responding to a prospective student's request for information about graduate study, closed his letter with a personal note: "Please remember me to Miss Mullikin." Who was Miss Mullikin? And why did someone of Moore's stature wish to convey his best wishes to her? Read the updated story, originally published in the February 2009 American Mathematical Monthly.

MAA and ThinkFun Present "Martin Gardner's Celebration of Mind" on October 21, 2010
The Mathematical Association of AmericaandThinkFun will be hosting a reception to celebrate Gardner's work and continue his pursuit of a playful and fun approach to mathematics, science, art, magic, literature, philosophy, and puzzles. The event will be held in the MAA Carriage House onOctober 21, 2010, which would have been Gardner's 96th birthday.


Announcements

2011 Joint Meetings in New Orleans, January 6-9, 2011
We hope you'll join us at the year's biggest celebration of the mathematical sciences. Complete meeting information, including online registration, is available on the JMM website.

Here are some upcoming deadlines:

A great program is in place, so plan now to attend!

Senior-Level Positions Available at NSF in Education and Human Resources
NSF is looking to interview candidates with vision, established scholarship, and managerial talent for two division director positions and three deputy division director positions.

The positions are:

  • Division Director and Deputy Division Director - Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Setting
  • Division Director and Deputy Division Director - Division of Human Resource Development
  • Deputy Division Director - Division of Graduate Education

Interested candidates should apply through the NSF postings on USA JOBS.

The position announcement numbers are S20100096 (division director positions) and S20100097 (deputy division director positions).


Featured Articles

Launchings: The Common Core State Standards by David M. Bressoud

Devlin's Angle: Twist or Bust by Keith Devlin

Times Writer Natalie Angier Fulminates Against the Term STEM Acclaimed science journalistNatalie Angiercritiques the ubiquitous use of what she describes as the "opaque," "odious and increasingly pervasive" term "STEM education" in a recent column inThe New York Times.

Möbius Strip Downsized to Nanoscale Level
Scientists have used DNA origami to create a Möbius structure measuring only 50 nanometers.


Great Mathematicians, Great Lives

The MAA Remembers Those MathematiciansWho Passed Awayin 2010
For the latest updates please visit MAA's In Memoriam site.

 

Become a Lasting Part of MAA History

2010 June/July FOCUS
Mark a special anniversary, honor a mentor, or remember a loved one by having an inscribed brick installed in the Paul R. Halmos Commemorative Walk at the Carriage House Conference Center, part of the MAA's Headquarters in Washington, DC.

The bricks form a map of the confluence of the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers in the District of Columbia.

The cost of each brick is $303.00 in honor of Paul Halmos' March 3rd birthday. Proceeds from the sale of bricks help support conference center programs and activities. Click here for an order form.

Did you miss a Math Alert?
Visit the MAA Math Alert archive.


Back to MAA Math Alert Archives

Publishing Date: 
October, 2010