I firmly believe that mathematics should be introduced to as many students as possible, allowing for a diverse base of individuals who may become interested in mathematics. I was quite involved in several outreach projects while at CSU and have continued this dedication at Macalester through campus-wide scavenger hunts, organizing the Beyond Mac series, and participating in local competitions such as the Konhauser Problemfest, Math Jeopardy, and DataFest.
Math Circles
As a graduate student, I was the primary organizer for the Colorado State University's Math Circles program for four years. Math Circles is a week-long summer camp for middle school and early high school students in which they are introduced to topics not typically seen in school curricula in an exciting, hands-on format.
Along with a co-organizer, I developed the activities for the week, recruited volunteers to assist the students and instructors to lead the sessions, created a math treasure hunt, advertised, recruited speakers, organized a picnic/meals/snacks for the students.
Along with a co-organizer, I developed the activities for the week, recruited volunteers to assist the students and instructors to lead the sessions, created a math treasure hunt, advertised, recruited speakers, organized a picnic/meals/snacks for the students.
- Math Circles 2013 Schedule, Theme: Notions of Shape and Space, 43 participants, Slideshow
- Math Circles 2012 Schedule, Theme: Puzzles, Logic and Games, capped at 50 participants, Slideshow
- Math Circles 2011 Schedule, Theme: Mathematics through the Ages, 48 participants
- Math Circles 2010 Schedule, 37 participants
I have loved being involved with this program. It has been a truly rewarding experience!
Summer School in Costa Rica
In the summer of 2012, two faculty members at CSU as well as two graduate students (myself included) taught two, two-week mini-courses to undergraduates at the top institution in Costa Rica, the University of Costa Rica, in San Jose. My advisor, Chris Peterson, and I co-taught a course on Persistent Homology, a topic that is not typically presented at the undergraduate level.
While many of the ideas in persistent homology are quite deep, illustrative computations can be done using basic linear algebra techniques. My advisor typically introduced the theory to the students, while I ran a lab session where students were able to make concrete computations using the software Macaulay2 and JPlex which can be run using Matlab. These computations added insight to the theory.
Part of the goal of this summer school is to ultimately act as a way to draw students from UCR to attend graduate school at CSU.
While many of the ideas in persistent homology are quite deep, illustrative computations can be done using basic linear algebra techniques. My advisor typically introduced the theory to the students, while I ran a lab session where students were able to make concrete computations using the software Macaulay2 and JPlex which can be run using Matlab. These computations added insight to the theory.
Part of the goal of this summer school is to ultimately act as a way to draw students from UCR to attend graduate school at CSU.
Math Science and Technology Day
Fourth graders are at a particularly critical point in their education as they still have the opportunity to choose a path that will lead to a STEM career. In an effort to inspire fourth graders to take the necessary mathematics and science classes in middle and high school so that they can enroll and succeed in a STEM major, Math Science and Technology day exposes students to math, science and technology in a fun way, allowing them to recognize that math and science are everyday parts of life.
Started in 1992 as a partnership with El Centro and the Natural Science Education Outreach Center, the program has seen significant growth in over 20 years. Approximately 300 local students attend the event each year.
I gave a presentation, along with Steve Ihde, on Fibonacci numbers in the Fall of 2011 and 2012. It is crucial to engage students that might not otherwise consider mathematics as a career at a young age.
Started in 1992 as a partnership with El Centro and the Natural Science Education Outreach Center, the program has seen significant growth in over 20 years. Approximately 300 local students attend the event each year.
I gave a presentation, along with Steve Ihde, on Fibonacci numbers in the Fall of 2011 and 2012. It is crucial to engage students that might not otherwise consider mathematics as a career at a young age.
