Sonia Kovalevsky High School Mathematics Days

AWM Newsletter

Sonia Kovalevsky Mathematics Days

From AWM Newsletter, Vol. 29, No. 3, May-June 1999.

The Sonia Kovalevsky High School Mathematics Days below were funded by a grant awarded to AWM by the National Security Agency. Thanks, NSA!

St. Joseph's University

St. Joseph's University hosted its first Sonia Kovalevsky High School Mathematics Day (SKHSMD) on Saturday, November 7, 1998. Nineteen young women and four teachers from six high schools in the city of Philadelphia attended this event. The workshop leaders were all on the faculty from the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at St. Joseph's.

After registration and continental breakfast, the session began with a welcome from SKHSMD coordinator, Dr. Elaine Terry. Dr. Agnes Rash, Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, also welcomed the participants. She challenged them to think about the number of the women with Ph.D.'s in mathematics today compared to Dr. Kovalevsky's time. Ms. Myra Hooker, Associate Director of Admissions at St. Joseph's, followed with a rousing welcome from her office.

Dr. Sandra Fillebrown gave the first of three workshops, entitled "Fun with Fractals." After a brief description of what a fractal is, participants were given pictures of several fractals generated using iterated function systems. They were shown how a simple set of equations can be used to define fractal images and were challenged to find the equations for one of their pictures. They then had the opportunity to test their equations on the computer. Each student and teacher was given a copy of the program on a disk to take home.

Following a ten-minute break, Dr. Deborah Lurie gave a workshop entitled "Snap, Crackle, or Pop? Using Statistics to Analyze Breakfast Cereal." In this workshop, students were introduced to the graphical and numerical methods of exploratory data analysis by investigating the distribution of the caloric content per serving of cold breakfast cereal. By constructing histograms using different class intervals, the students had an opportunity to describe the shape of the distribution and its center. Numerical measures of central tendency (mean, median and mode) were also compared.

Workshop III was held in Mandeville Hall, the newest and most technologically advanced building on the campus. Dr. Susanna Wei led the workshop entitled "Smashing Bugs with Mathematics." In this workshop, Dr. Wei used an example to show students the basic steps of creating computer games and the role of mathematics in these games. The participants who included both students and teachers were given a sample computer game disk entitled "Smashing Bugs." They were challenged to find ways to improve the sample game using simple mathematics and random number generators. The lab is equipped so that each participant was seated at a PC. Through hands-on experience, the participants learned the use of simple mathematics in making computer games more interesting and challenging. The experiment resulted in three improved versions of the computer game. The executable files of the resultant games were given to the students and teachers to take home.

Following the third workshop, the group posed for a group picture outside of the Mandeville building. The group headed to the Campion Student Center for a buffet lunch in the North Lounge. Approximately twenty minutes into lunch, Susan Yagielsky, a mathematics education graduate student at St. Joseph's, talked about the life of Sonia Kovalevsky. The talk included both professional and personal aspects of Dr. Kovalevsky's life. Ms. Yagielsky discussed the hardships that women of Dr. Kovalevsky's generation endured. She entertained questions from the students following the twenty-minute talk. They were particularly curious about Dr. Kovalevsky's relationship with her daughter, which Ms. Yagielsky noted had been an estranged one.

After lunch and a ten-minute break, a career panel consisting of three professionals was convened. The three professionals were: Patricia Green, cryptologic mathematician with the National Security Agency; Kathleen Jenkins, engineer with NASA; and Elise Pasles, actuary/statistician with Temple University. Each professional was given ten minutes to speak about her career and how mathematics played a role. A question and answer period was moderated by Dr. Terry. There were many questions, including some on internships and on daily activities of the panelists.

The final session of the day was a problem-solving contest that was conducted by three St. Joseph's University students: Melissa Hudak, Shannon McCall, and Susan Yagielsky. The students were placed in teams according to their schools. Each team was given three problems to work on for half an hour. The St. Joseph's students (with faculty input) designed the problems.

Kathleen Jenkins, Engineer, NASA, St. Joseph's panelist As the problems were being scored, the participants and the teachers filled out questionnaires. The team from Masterman High School won with the most correct solutions. Each of the four students was given a T-shirt. All of the participants were given a Certificate of Participation. A copy of the book Women and Numbers by Teri Perl was given to the teachers. Staci Ross was the only representative from her high school . She was given a personal copy of She Does Math, edited by Marla Parker. Everyone was given key rings from the Admissions Office, and Kathleen Jenkins gave the students computer mouse pads with the NASA logo.

As the questionnaires indicate, the first Sonia Kovalevsky High School Mathematics Day at St. Joseph's University was a success. We gratefully acknowledge funding from the Association for Women in Mathematics and the National Security Agency. The office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs at St. Joseph's was very helpful in this endeavor by providing advance funds when needed. The University was generous in allowing the use of its facilities for all the activities. The organizing committee feels that the day was a success and looks forward to another SKHSMD next year.

Rivier College

Yvonne Greenleaf, Professor/Chair and Adele Miller, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Rivier College, ygreenle@rivier.edu, amiller@rivier.edu

On October 22, 1998, 45 high school girls and their teachers from several Nashua, NH area high schools attended the Ninth Annual Sonia Kovalevsky Day, hosted by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Rivier College, Nashua, NH. The program was supported by AWM (through a grant from NSA) and by Rivier College. The theme of this year's Sonia Kovalevsky Day was "Exploring Mathematics for the New Millennium."

After the welcome and opening remarks by Adele Miller, Assistant Professor of Mathematics and organizer of this year's Sonia Kovalevsky Day, two concurrent workshops were held. Professor Donna Beers, Chair of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department of Simmons College, explored "Coloring Problems in Math." Dr. Teresa Magnus, Assistant Professor in the Mathematics Department, conducted a workshop titled "Love Letters, Passwords, and Other Secret Messages." The second session of the morning featured a workshop on "Patty Paper Geometry" by Professor Carol Findell of Boston University and a talk on "Very Large Numbers" by Professor Barry Schiller of Rhode Island College.

The third session featured a Team Problem Solving competition. Teams were randomly assigned. This session was organized by a group of mathematics education majors at Rivier College with the assistance of Professor Yvonne Greenleaf, Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. The competition was enjoyed by all participants. Due to its popularity it might become an annual event.

After lunch on campus, Cathie Donovan-Simard, Senior Account Manager at Amherst Computer Products, and Tim Carberry, also of Amherst Computer Products, delivered the keynote address on the Y2K problem. Following this talk the winners of the problem solving competition were announced and the solutions to the problems revealed. There were many door prizes, compliments of Amherst Computer Products. Each girl received a Certificate of Participation. Problem-solving competition, Rivier College The day was a complete success. Participants completed questionnaires at the end of the day. The responses were very positive. Some typical student answers to the question "what did you like best?" were:

I had to use my brain a different way than usual, good mental exercise.

The cool designs you could make with the paper.

Origami is really fun! Writing our own secret messages.

I loved the history and facts about large numbers.

Difficult problems really made you think - great choices.

Working together to solve the problems.

Some teacher comments were:

I was looking for a better way to teach geometry - very visual.

Tough problems - I can use in class, thank you.

The only regret was that attendance was not higher. However, this is the first time Rivier College hosted Sonia Kovalevsky Day in the fall. Several teachers could not come due to the lack of availability of substitutes. Participants also indicated they would like the day extended and have the opportunity to attend all sessions. However, school districts indicate that the students must return to school in time for the buses to be used on their regular routes.

It was a joy to provide the opportunity to dispel some of the mysteries of mathematics and discover new ways to approach the subject with confidence. It is hoped that the presentations and activities of the day convinced students and their teachers that mathematics is an exciting way to think about and understand our world.

Syracuse University

On November 7, 1998, the Mathematics Department at Syracuse University held a Sonia Kovalevsky Festival, whose theme was "Mathematics in the Modern Technological World." The Festival, supported by a grant from the Association for Women in Mathematics, is part of a national outreach effort designed to encourage high school girls to continue the pursuit of their interests in mathematics and science.

In the morning, the 55 high school girls and 10 teachers who attended the day-long Festival participate in one of several workshops run by women scientists. Perhaps the most popular choice was the workshop "Dino-Biology: Computing How Fast Dinosaurs Walked and How Much They Weighed." It was led by Cornelia Yoder, a graduate student in Earth Sciences at Syracuse University. One partici;pant commented, "It was not only educational: it was lots of fun!" A student who attended the workshop in civil engineering, "The Leaning Tower of Pisa: Can We Stabilize It?" run by Professor Shobha Bhatia, commented, "I liked applying math and science to a real example." The other workshop choices included "Pondering Polyhedra, or, What's Wrong With a 16-sided Die?" conducted by Professor of Mathematics Sul-Young Choi; "Solving the Stable-Marriage Problem: Why You Shouldn't Wait To Be Asked For A Date," run by computer scientist Professor Susan Older; and "Genetic Inheritance: Single and Polygenic Traits," led by biologist Professor Eleanor Maine. Professors Bhatia, Older, and Maine are on the Syracuse University faculty, while Professor Choi is on the faculty of nearby LeMoyne College. There was also a workshop for teachers, "The Geometry of Mappings Given by Two Linear Equations," run by Professor Douglas Anderson from Syracuse University.

When the two-hour workshops were over, the participants listened to a talk by Professor Ingrid Daubechies of Princeton University on "Surfing with Wavelets." In it, Professor Daubechies gave an overview of what wavelets are and how they are used to solve concrete problems. By emphasizing how the same tool, wavelets, developed simultaneously in several different areas, mathematics, physics, and computer science, and featuring examples in which wavelets are used to solve real world problems, she helped the participants understand the theme that mathematics really is ubiquitous in the modern world.

A buffet lunch gave the girls a chance to relax and to socialize. In addition they were able to look at a wonderful collection of mathematical posters and books and to try their hands at solving mathematical puzzles. The girls clearly enjoyed these activities, assembled and planned by Festival co-organizer Dr. Marjorie Baruch. One wrote, "I really liked the activities. They were challenging, yet fun."

After lunch, the participants attended a panel discussion in which each workshop leader talked for a few minutes about how or why she became a scientist or mathematician, the talents she brought to her career, and what she thought prepared her for her present work. These presentations were followed by a lively question and answer session in which the girls were able to get lots of information about what to study in high school to prepare for college work in science and/or mathematics, what life as a scientist/mathematician was really like, and what career opportunities were available in the sciences and mathematics.

The comments from the participants showed that this part of the program was both useful and well received. One girl said, "It was interesting to hear about the professors' experiences. It was one of the best parts." Another one commented. "I really liked it because it was cool having them talk about their personal experiences."

University of Tulsa

Shirley Pomeranz, Donna Farrior, Sharon Wilson, Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK 74104, pomeranz@euler.mc.utulsa.edu

Our Fifth Sonia Kovalevsky High School Mathematics Day (SKHSMD) was held at the University of Tulsa on October 9, 1998. There were approximately 180 eighth, ninth, and tenth grade women students and 20 parents and faculty members from twenty-four area schools. This year, SKHSMD was a cooperative project between The University of Tulsa (TU), Tulsa Community College (TCC), Tulsa Public Schools, Bartlesville Public Schools, and STARBASE Oklahoma. The STARBASE program is a national program that serves minority and low-socio-economic-status students with hands-on activities including rocketry, math, and physics.

SKHSMD participants began registering at 8:45 a.m. An information packet contained the program, workshop assignments, evaluation forms, SKHSMD notepads, and mathematics and related career information. The information brochures were supplied by organizations that include AWM, MAA, Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences (CBMS), Society of Women Engineering (SWE), National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), Equals, American Statistical Association (ASA), and Society of Actuaries.

The program began with a welcome by Dr. Steve Bellovich, Dean of the TU College of Engineering and Natural Sciences. He emphasized that students should utilize their educational opportunities in order to prepare themselves for a broad choice of career options.

Program organizers Dr. Shirley Pomeranz and Dr. Donna Farrior hosted the Math Match. The students worked in teams, with about eight students per team. Each team worked on the set of 25 math problems. We also had a team of teachers involved in the math match (and, yes, they did get the highest score). Texas Instruments loaned us TI-82 calculators for use during the match. We had prizes for all the participants (including teachers and parents). But the student teams that received the highest scores got to choose their prizes first. We had only a limited number of each prize item. Thus, there was an incentive for each team to do well. We handed out answer keys (which the students could keep and go over later), and each team corrected its own solution list.

All the prizes had a mathematics theme. The most popular prizes were T-shirts with the logo "Sonia Kovalevsky Mathematics Day." Other prizes were key chains with algebra/geometry/calculus symbols, pens with the name and logo of the NCTM, and mugs, notepads, markers, pins, and shoelaces, all with the slogan, "I © Math."

After the math match and the selection of prizes, students, teachers, and parents proceeded to the first set of concurrent, hands-on workshops.

Lunch was arranged by SKHSMD organizer and TU senior mathematics and computer science instructor, Sharon Wilson. The luncheon consisted of pizza, salad, cookies, and beverages. The participants had this time to compare workshop experiences and get to meet students from other schools.

Following the afternoon workshops, National Security Agency (NSA) representative, Susan Mili-tello gave a presentation in which she (and the stu-dents) decoded a cipher. Her presentation actively involved the students. She also spoke about career opportunities at NSA and her mathematics career.

SKHSMD concluded at about 3:15 p.m., with participants helping themselves to refreshments, filling out evaluation forms, and claiming their math prizes.

Undergraduate and graduate women students from the Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, Society of Women Engineers, TU Women in Science organization, and students from the newly formed TU Math Club (a student chapter of the MAA) helped with registration, served as workshop assistants, and were on hand to talk informally with participants.

The TU College of Engineering and Natural Sciences and Department of Mathematical and Computer Sciences provided matching funds and use of facilities. Funding from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education was available so that eighth and ninth grade girls from our summer math camp, the Tulsa Mathematics Equity Academy (TMEA), could participate.

There was some local TV coverage that was arranged by the TU Office of University Relations. The only disappointment was that for the second year in a row, SKHSMD did not receive coverage in the local newspaper, Tulsa World. Both for our 1997 and our 1998 SKHSMD's, the newspaper told the TU Office of University Relations that a reporter would be present to give publicity to our event. And, for two years in a row, no reporter showed up and no reporter responded to subsequent telephone calls from the SKHSMD organizing committee. The organizing committee then preared its own press release and brought it to Tulsa World. Several sentences about recruitment for the next SKHSMD appeared in the paper.

However, even from the small notice that did appear, we have begun to receive telephone calls from local professionals who want to volunteer for our next SKHSMD. And, as with past SKHSMD's, we had many more applicants than we could accept. We feel that there is still a need for this program, we enjoy doing SKHSMD's, and with the continued support of the University of Tulsa, we are preparing for our Sixth Sonia Kovalevsky High School Mathematics Day.

We have always received support from our Department Chair, Dr. Bill Coberly, and from Dean Bellovich. At present, a local company is considering funding our 1999 SKHSMD. However, Dean Bellovich has guaranteed us that, in any event, we shall have funding for our 1999 SKHSMD.

Based on feedback from the teacher participants, it appears that the spring is a better time for SKHSMD's. We have decided to include more emphasis on career discussions and more time devoted to a career panel of women from varied fields that use math. Perhaps we can arrange for some women professionals who work in disciplines that use math to serve as mentors for participants who are interested in that specific discipline. We also are still trying to find a balance in the orientation of the math match --- a balance so that it is fun and mathematically challenging, but not discouraging. Mathematical successes are important with respect to empowerment and confidence in mathematics, and we want the SKHSMD participants to enjoy the day and to leave feeling more comfortable and more empowered with respect to mathematics.

We received feedback about various aspects of SKHSMD. During the day several students thanked us for having SKHSMD's and asked to be able to come back next year. One teacher shared some fascinating observations about how her students had worked together as a team for the math match.
The following are some selected comments from the student participants evaluation forms:

The problem session --- it was fun working together.

I was greatly surprised at the career options and the breaking of codes.

Math day is a really great opportunity for students who want to achieve many things in life. I think that this day should go on for many years!

I want to come to this next year. It was fun.

It was fun. I hope other friends get a chance to come.

Teacher evaluation form suggestions in response to the question, "How can we present a better event next year?" included:

[I] think it would be better if [you] talked more about careers available, math needed for those careers, salary, etc.

[T]oo much math we can't do just frustrates; stress career opportunities more.

It is nice that you have enough prizes for all the girls. Last year the panel of speakers was a nice idea.

The SKHSMD organizing committee thanks Susan Militello, the Association for Women in Mathematics, and the National Security Agency for support that made the Fifth TU Sonia Kovalevsky High School Mathematics Day possible.

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