SIGMAA on Mathematics and the Arts (ARTS SIGMAA)
Minicourse
Visualizing Projective Geometry Through Photographs and Perspective Drawings
Part A: Thursday, July 30, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Franklin 3
Part B: Friday, July 31, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Franklin 3
Description
Hands-on, practical art puzzles inspire the mathematics of projective geometry---the study of properties invariant under projective transformations. We explore activities in perspective art or photography that motivate concepts in projective geometry, including Desargues' Theorem and numerical projective invariants. Activities in problem solving and proof are suitable for a sophomore-level proofs class. No artistic experience is required.
Organizers:
Annalisa Crannell, Franklin and Marshall College
Fumiko Futamura, Southwestern University
SIGMAA on Mathematical and Computational Biology (BIO SIGMAA)
Contributed Paper Session
Mathematics and the Life Sciences: Initiatives, Programs, Curricula
Saturday, August 1, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom A
Description
The 2015 CUPM Curriculum Guide to Majors in the Mathematical Sciences identified the life sciences as a key path through the mathematics major to graduate programs and the workforce. Topics include scholarly contributions addressing initiatives, programs, curricula, and course materials at the interface of mathematics and the life sciences that have been implemented and tested at institutions of higher education.
Organizers:
Timothy D. Comar, Benedictine University
Raina Robeva, Randolph-Macon College
Carrie Diaz Eaton, Bates College
SIGMAA on Environmental Mathematics (SIGMAA EM)
Business Meeting, Reception, & Guest Lecture
Thursday, July 30, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom Salon J
Organizer:
Benjamin Galluzo, Clarkson College
SIGMAA on Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL SIGMAA)
Business Meeting & Reception
Thursday, July 30, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom Salon K
Organizer:
Susan Crook, Loras College
Contributed Paper Session
Inquiry-Based Learning and Teaching
Part A: Thursday, July 30, 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom K
Part B: Thursday, July 30, 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom K
Description
Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL) aims to transform students from consumers to producers of mathematics. IBL methods help students develop deep understanding by connecting them with mathematical phenomena, questions, and communities. This session invites scholarly presentations on IBL teaching and learning methods. Talks on successful IBL activities, evidence-based IBL research, and talks that can help new IBL instructors are especially encouraged.
Organizers:
Carl Mummert, Marshall University
Susan Crook, Loras College
David Failing, Lewis University
Amy Ksir, US Naval Academy
Nathaniel Miller, U. Northern Colorado
Victor Piercey, Ferris State University
SIGMAA on Math Circles for Students and Teachers (SIGMAA MCST)
Business Meeting and Guest Lecture
Building Communities Around Joyful Mathematics Through Cup Stacking
Spencer Bowen, San Francisco State University
Thursday, July 30, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom Salon D
Abstract
Start with a row of cups. Cups jump onto each other to make larger stacks. One cup jumps one space, a stack of two cups jump two spaces, and so on. Stacks must jump a number of spaces equal to the number of cups in the stack. Can you get all your cups into a single stack? This cup jumping lesson was one that the American Institute of Mathematics partnered with the Santa Clara (CA) County Office of Education to develop at their elementary schools. The goal of the project is to promote Math Communities that create a culture of year-round enjoyable mathematical engagement and play. The Math Communities model brings together several previously established programs such as Math Teachers’ Circles and Math Festivals, as well as newly created initiatives to get students, teachers, and parents engaging with mathematics in many different formal and informal settings. We have started our efforts at Title 1 elementary schools in the county with high proportions of Spanish-speaking families. At the talk you’ll have a chance to problem solve through the cup jumping lesson and will be able to take away examples of activities that promote joyful mathematical learning for students and parents along with models for coordinated implementation of similar materials in classroom learning and teachers’ professional development time. You’ll leave with a replicable "stealable" tool, program, approach, or learning that is ready for others to adapt.
Organizer:
Jane Long, Stephen F. Austin State University
Contributed Paper Session
Games in Math Circles
Thursday, July 30, 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Room 414 & 415
Description
We will focus on games in math circles. Such games are fun to play but they also offer opportunities for participants to think deeply about optimal strategies and do meaningful computations. Computer simulations of games or the coding of a master player that the circle can compete against are possibilities. Some games are not what they seem as they can be nearly determined by the opening setup but seeing this involves some deep funstration.
Organizer:
Edward C. Keppelmann, University of Nevada Reno
SIGMAA on Mathematics & Sports (Sports SIGMAA)
Business Meeting & Guest Lecture
Thursday, July 30, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom Salon I
Contact:
Liz Bouzarth, Furman University
Contributed Paper Session
Mathematics and Sports
Saturday, August 1, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom B
Description
The expanding availability of play-by-play statistics and video-based spatial data have led to innovative mathematical research with impacts on strategy and player evaluation. Other areas of interest include ranking methods, predictive models, physics-based analysis, etc. Research presentations, expository talks, and pedagogical contributions are all welcome. Projects involving undergraduate students are particularly encouraged for submission.
Organizers:
Liz Bouzarth, Furman University
Diana Cheng, Towson University
John David, Virginia Military Institute
SIGMAA on Recreational Mathematics (Rec SIGMAA)
Business Meeting, Reception, and Guest Lecture
Gears, Graphs, and Archimedes
Gary Gordon, Lafayette College
Friday, July 31, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Room 414 & 415
Abstract
This talk connects a children’s plastic gear toy with two Archimedean solids, the cubeoctahedron and the icosadodechedron. Workable arrangements of gears correspond to planar bipartite graphs, and the duals of these graphs give the connection to the solids. Euler’s famous polyhedron formula plays an important role here. The talk will include lots of very small plastic pieces not intended for very small children.
Organizer:
Robert Vallin, Lamar University
Contributed Paper Session
Recreational Mathematics: Puzzles, Card Tricks, Games, Gambling and Sports
Part A: Friday, July 31, 10:20 a.m. - 12:10 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Room 414 & 415
Part B: Friday, July 31, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Room 414 & 415
Description
Puzzles, card tricks, board games, game shows, and gambling provide an excellent laboratory for testing mathematical strategy, probability, and enumeration. The analysis of such diversions is fertile ground for the application of mathematical and statistical theory. Solutions to new problems as well as novel solutions to old problems are welcome. Submissions by undergraduates are encourage
Organizers:
Paul R. Coe, Dominican University
Sara B. Quinn, Dominican University
Kristen Schemmerhorn, Concordia University Chicago
Andrew Niedermaier, Jane Street Capital
SIGMAA on Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education (SIGMAA on RUME)
Invited Paper Session
Implications for Practice: Applying Education Research to our Shared Disciplinary Work
Thursday, July 30, 1:30 p.m. - 4:20 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom B
Contributed Paper Session
Research in Undergraduate Mathematics Education
Part A: Friday, July 31, 10:20 a.m. - 12:10 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom K
Part B: Friday, July 31, 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom K
Description
The goals of this session are to promote quality research in undergraduate mathematics education, to disseminate educational studies to the greater mathematics community, and to facilitate the impact of research findings on mathematics pedagogy. Presentations may be based on research in any undergraduate mathematical area. Examples include studies about students' reasoning, teaching practices, curriculum design, and professional development.
Organizers:
Brian P. Katz, Smith College
Shiv Smith Karunakaran, Michigan State University
Nicole Engelke Infante, West Virginia University
SIGMAA on Statistics Education (SIGMAA STAT-ED)
Business Meeting
Friday, July 31, 6:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom Salon J
Organizer:
Judith Canner, California State University, Monterey Bay
Invited Paper Session
Supporting Student Success in Introductory Statistics through Evidence-Based Practices
Saturday, August 1, 8:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom C
Invited Paper Session
Mathematics for Data Science
Saturday, August 1, 1:00 p.m. - 3:50 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom C
Minicourse
Experiences in Teaching Introductory Data Science to Math Majors
Part A: Friday, July 31, 3:40 p.m. - 5:40 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Franklin 3
Part B: Saturday, August 1, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Franklin 3
Description
Participants in this mini-course will be exposed to topics covered in the introductory data science course at Winona State University. A three-prong pedagogical approach is used in teaching this course (i.e. hands-on activity -> non-programming software -> writing code). Participants of this mini-course will be asked to engage in all three components of this pedagogy using a variety of task that can easily be implemented into existing courses.
Organizer:
Christopher J. Malone, Winona State University
Panel
The Modern Mathematics Major in the Data Science Era
Friday, July 31, 3:00 p.m. - 4:20 p.m., Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 202B
Description
Every year new programs in data science and statistics are being added at the undergraduate level. So where does this leave the traditional mathematics major? Panelists will discuss how mathematics programs have adapted to the demand for data science and statistics, speaking to institutional change, personal development, and the MAA view on statistics and data science within undergraduate programs in mathematics.
Organizer:
Judith E. Canner, California State University, Monterey Bay
Panelists:
Patti Frazer Lock, St. Lawrence University
Ryan Botts, Point Loma University
Tim Chartier, Davidson College
SIGMAA on Teaching Advanced High School Mathematics (SIGMAA TAHSM)
Business Meeting, Reception, & Guest Lecture
A Few of My Favorite Numbers
Stephen Kokoska, Bloomsburg University
Friday, July 30, 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom Salon L
Abstract
Certain numbers are just naturally mysterious and appealing. For example, \(π\), \(e\), or maybe even \(√3/2\). But there are some numbers that seem to appear often enough in our work to strike a nerve and to create a lasting impression. This presentation will include a discussion of some of my favorite numbers, why they are fascinating, and some interesting examples and facts involving these numbers.
Organizer:
Chuck Garner, Rockdale Magnet School for Science and Technology
SIGMAA on Undergraduate Research (UR SIGMAA)
Reception & Guest Lecture
Using Restorative Practices to Build Research Communities
Pamela Harris, Williams College
Friday, July 31, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom Salon D
Abstract
I have collaborated with over 50 undergraduate students on mathematical research and their work has resulted in over 20 research publications and an additional eight writing contributions to the profession. In this talk, I detail the specifics that made these collaborations so fruitful (spoiler alert: it was not the math). In particular, I will share ways we implemented restorative practices in the research process (building honest and sincere relationships focused on individual responsibility and shared accountability) and how these practices greatly helped to advance the mathematical work.
Organizer:
Allison Henrich, Seattle University
Invited Paper Session
Open & Accessible Problems for Undergraduate Research
Saturday, August 1, 8:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m., Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom D