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Sessions for Undergraduate Students

The MAA endeavors to ensure that all the mathematical sessions at MathFest are accessible to a broad audience and undergraduate students are invited and encouraged to attend any of them. In addition, the MAA provides the following sessions that are aimed specifically at the interests of undergraduate students.

Invited Address

Pi Mu Epsilon J. Sutherland Frame Lecture

Arithmetic and Digits

Wednesday, July 29, 8:00 p.m. - 8:50 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom Salon G&H

Florian Luca, University of Witwatersrand

Abstract

In our recent paper in the Monthly (October, 2019) with Pante Stănică, we looked at perfect squares which arise when concatenating two consecutive positive integers like 183184 = 4282 with the smaller number to the left, or 98029801 = 99012 with the larger number to the left. My talk will present variations on this topic with the aim of providing the audience with examples of numbers which are both arithmetically interesting (like perfect squares) while their digital representations obey some regular patterns. The examples will not be limited to perfect squares, but will also include other old friends like Fibonacci numbers and palindromes.

 

Social Event

MAA-PME Student Reception

Wednesday, July 29, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom Salon E

Description

Undergraduate students are invited to come for refreshments and a welcome to MathFest.

 

Undergraduate Student Paper Session

Pi Mu Epsilon Student Paper Sessions

Thursday, July 30, 8:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Rooms 411, 412, 413
Friday, July 31, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Rooms 411, 412, 413

Description

Pi Mu Epsilon student members who wish to represent their chapters as student speakers or official delegates should visit the PME website at http://pme-math.org/ for more information.

Please note: all student presenters are required to be registered for MAA MathFest.

Organizer:
Darci Kracht, Kent State University

 

Invited Address

Chan Stanek Lecture for Students

Stories About How I Got Where I Am Today

Thursday, July 29, 1:30 p.m. - 2:20 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom Salon G&H

Erica Flapan, Pomona College

Abstract

I will talk about my life, from elementary school to becoming the Editor in Chief of the Notices of the American Mathematical Society. While my history is quite different from that of most mathematicians, I hope that hearing stories about my trials and tribulations can inspire young mathematicians facing their own trials and tribulations to keep at it as I did and become mathematicians who can then tell their own stories to the next generation of young mathematicians. This talk will include a little bit of knot theory, a little bit of spatial graph theory, a little bit of chemistry, and a little bit of humor. But mostly, it will just be stories.

 

Undergraduate Student Activity

We Begin with a Deck of Cards …

Friday, July 31, 1:30 p..m. - 2:20 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom A & B

Robert Vallin, Lamar University

Abstract

We all know there are lots of fun games and activities that come from a standard deck of cards. As they say during 3 a.m. infomercials, “But wait, there’s more!!” A deck is also the gateway to a myriad of different ideas in mathematics. In this event we start with some of the more straightforward ideas like counting and then move on to some other fun things that we can play with. If you have a deck of cards, bring it along (there will be a limited supply available at the session).

 

Other Mathematical Session

Math Jeopardy

Wednesday, July 29, 5:30 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom C & D

Description

Answer: A fun undergraduate mathematics contest to lead off MathFest.
Question: What is Mathematics Jeopardy?

Four teams of students will provide the questions to go with the mathematical answers in many categories. All interested students in the audience can enter their names to be chosen to play on one of the four teams of four players. There will be prizes for all the participants. Come cheer for your favorite team. The session will be emceed by Michael Berry.

Organizers:
Michael W. Berry, University of Tennessee
Robert W. Vallin, Lamar University

 

Panel Session

Career Paths in Business, Industry, and Government

Thursday, July 30, 9:30 a.m. - 10:50 a.m., Pennsylvania Convention Center Room 202B

Description

You’re about to earn a degree in mathematics. Now what? You may already know that teaching isn’t your only option, but perhaps you're still unsure of what other job opportunities are available in nonacademic settings. Whether you are a student looking for a job once you graduate or an advisor looking for advice to give your students, this panel will help you gain new perspectives on career experiences in business, industry, and government.

Organizers:
Emille D. Lawrence, University of San Francisco
Caroline Maher-Boulis, Lee University

Panelists:
Kevin Byrnes, DuPont Capital Management
Michael Dorff, Brigham Young University and Mathematical Association of America
Emilie Purvine, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Bonita Saunders, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Sponsors:
MAA Committee on Undergraduate Students
MAA Committee on Business, Industry, and Government

 

Panel Session

Graduate School in Mathematics: What’s it Like, and How Do You Get In?

Thursday, July 30, 4:30 p.m. - 5:50 p.m., Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 202B

Description

This panel is for undergraduates considering graduate school in the mathematical sciences. Graduate students in mathematics must take courses, pass qualifying exams, write a thesis, and serve as a Teaching Assistant. We discuss how these may vary from school to school and then focus on the application process: What do you need to apply? What does it take to get in? How many schools should you apply to? When will you hear? etc. Panelists will include several graduate chairs and current graduate students.

Organizer:
Ruth Hass, University of Hawaii

Panelists: TBA

Sponsor: Committee on Undergraduates

 

Other Mathematical Session

Estimathon!

Thursday, July 30, 4:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m., Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 201 C

Description

They're called Fermi problems...
How heavy is the Eiffel Tower?
How many prime numbers have distinct digits?
How many calories would you be eating if you had "one of everything" at the Cheesecake Factory?

If you're looking for a mindbending mixture of math and trivia, look no further! Jane Street Capital presents The Estimathon contest: teams will have 30 minutes to work on 13 problems, ranging from totally trivial to positively Putnamesque. Can your team beat the all-time best score?? The top teams will receive prizes! As in past years, we will run 2 contests. Feel free to show up to either one!

(Please show up 15 minutes before the start time of the contest you want to join.)

Our target schedule is as follows:
4:00 pm. Welcome, overview of rules and scoring
4:15 pm. Estimathon contest #1
5:00 pm. Estimathon contest #2

Organizer:
Andy Niedermaier, Jane Street Capital

 

Undergraduate Student Paper Session

MAA Student Paper Sessions

Thursday, July 30, 8:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Rooms 404, 405, and 410
Friday, July 31, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Rooms 404, 405, and 410

Abstract

The MAA Student Paper Sessions abstract portal is now live! Please click here to submit an abstract.

Organizers:
Eric Ruggieri, College of the Holy Cross
Chasen Smith, Georgia Southern University

 

Poster Session

Undergraduate Student Poster Session

Friday, July 31, 10:20 a.m. - 11:50 a.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom Salon F

Description

This session features research done by undergraduate students. Appropriate content includes, but is not limited to, a new result, a new proof of a known result, a new mathematical model, an innovative solution to a Putnam problem, or a method of solution to an applied problem. Projects that are currently "in progress", but leading towards one of these outcomes are also welcome. Purely expository material is not appropriate for this session.

The Undergraduate Student Poster Session abstract portal is now live! Please click here to submit an abstract

Organizers:
Eric Ruggieri, College of the Holy Cross
Chasen Smith, Georgia Southern University

Sponsor: Committee on Undergraduate Students (CUS)

 

Social Event

MAA Ice Cream Social

Friday, July 31, 8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom A & B

Description

Besides cake and ice cream, we will recognize all students who gave talks in the MAA Student Paper Sessions, and award prizes for the best of them. All are invited.

 

Other Mathematical Session

Julia Robinson Math Festival

Saturday, August 1, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Franklin 1&2

Description

Come play with mathematics! A Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival is a non-competitive after-school event for pre-college students. (But adults enjoy them as well.) We will meet in Franklin 1&2 between 12 and 2 PM. Tables will be set up, with a game, puzzle, or problem set at each table, and also a facilitator who is familiar with the activity. You can choose your activity, stay as long as you want, and move to another activity whenever you like. Activities are low-threshold, high-ceiling. They often begin with simple tasks requiring no background, but develop into sophisticated mathematical investigations. We would like to help you organize a Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival in your own locality. Our support services are offered free of charge. For more information, see www.jrmf.org.

Organizer:
Mark Saul, Executive Director of the Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival (JRMF)

 

Other Mathematical Session

USA Problem Solving Competition

Saturday, August 1, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Room 401 & 402

Description

This event is the finals of The Problem Solving Competition. Universities and colleges that participate monthly on their own campuses by holding problem solving contests are invited to send a contestant. Each contestant will be required to solve a series of mathematical problems. Based upon the outcome, a champion along with second through sixth place winners will be named.

Organizer:
Richard Neal, The American Society for Mathematics (ASFM)

 

Year: 
2020