Category Archives: Math

Poincaré Conjecture

The Poincaré Conjecture in simple terms “states that the three-sphere is the only type of bounded three-dimensional space possible that contains no holes. This conjecture was first proposed in 1904 by H. Poincaré” – Mathworld

Elusive Proof, Elusive Prover: A New Mathematical Mystery:

But at the moment of his putative triumph, Dr. Perelman is nowhere in sight. He is an odds-on favorite to win a Fields Medal, math’s version of the Nobel Prize, when the International Mathematics Union convenes in Madrid next Tuesday. But there is no indication whether he will show up.

Also left hanging, for now, is $1 million offered by the Clay Mathematics Institute in Cambridge, Mass., for the first published proof of the conjecture, one of seven outstanding questions for which they offered a ransom back at the beginning of the millennium.

The Clay Math Institute site has more on the Poincar̩ Conjecture. Read about the rest of their Millennium Problems Р6 more problems each with a $1 million prize.

Math and Science Challenges for the USA

Panel says U.S. is losing ground in math, science by Bruce Lieberman

The United States may dominate many sectors of science and technology, but other countries are moving rapidly to take its place, said Griffin and other national leaders during the West Coast Competitiveness Summit at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

The summit was the latest of several meetings designed to explore how the United States can recommit to building an economic future based on scientific and technological innovation.

Numerous studies since the mid-1980s have reported on threats to the nation’s stature in science and technology, and many of them focused on improving education as a key challenge.

Excellence in K-12 Mathematics and Science Teaching

Going to School with Samuel Wheeler (NSF does not provide a way to link directly so you have to look down the page to find this interview of teacher Samuel Wheeler).

NSF: What is your most successful tool to inspire students to study science?
Wheeler: I craft my science courses in such a way that the students themselves become the investigator and principal learner, and I become a guide or facilitator. If they are allowed to explore the material from their own interests with the proper springboard, then it is easier to inspire them.

Samuel Wheeler received the, Presidential Awardees for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching – USA.
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NSF Undergraduate Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

NSF Undergraduate Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM)

program details from NSF (web site for schools)

This program makes grants to institutions of higher education to support scholarships for academically talented, financially needy students, enabling them to enter the workforce following completion of an associate, baccalaureate, or graduate level degree in science and engineering disciplines. Grantee institutions are responsible for selecting scholarship recipients, reporting demographic information about student scholars, and managing the S-STEM project at the institution.

The program does not make scholarship awards directly to students; students should contact their institution’s Office of Financial Aid for this and other scholarship opportunities.

Thanks to Marisa Dorazio, Edmonds Community College, for mentioning this. Apply for the scholarships available from Edmonds Community College. The deadline to apply is Friday, August 18. The application form has contact information in case you have any questions.

The Economic Benefits of Math

The crisis in maths in Australia by J Hyam Rubinstein:

The rapid economic reconstruction of Japan after the war was remarkable. A major feature was adoption of ideas of the great American statistician W. Edwards Deming on quality control and efficiency of production processes. In the United States Wal-mart, the retail giant, has a superb supply chain system, which is a key part of cost control. In Australia BHP Billiton has estimated that its group of mathematical scientists have saved the company several hundreds of millions of dollars in costs in a single year.

On our Curious Cat Management Improvement blog we post frequently about Deming’s ideas.

Most countries in the world, except for the poorest, give special attention and support to the mathematical sciences. For example, in the US, the National Science Foundation has instituted a number of programs to increase the supply of both mathematicians and statisticians. China and India stand out as emerging powerhouse of mathematical skills and the innovative technologies that will emerge from this investment.

Australia is an exception. We are in the midst of a national review of the mathematical sciences that will be completed in mid-2006. The international reviewers have been travelling across Australia. It is no exaggeration to say that the nation is facing a very serious situation.

As we have stated in previous posts the macro-economic impacts of government policy relating to science and math can be large:

Middle School Math

228 middle school students compteted in the prestigious individual MATHCOUNTS competition. Daesun Yim of West Windsor, NJ won the national champion title and the $8,000 Donald G. Weinert Scholarship, a trip to U.S. Space Camp and a notebook computer by answering:

A jar contains 8 red balls, 6 green balls and 24 yellow balls. In order to make the probability of choosing a yellow ball from the jar on the first selection equal to1/2, Kerry will add x red balls and y green balls. What is the average of x and y?

Answer: 5

In the team competition, Virginia captured the title of National Team Champions. Team members include Jimmy Clark of Falls Church, Divya Garg of Annandale, Brian Hamrick of Annandale, Daniel Li of Fairfax and coach Barbara Burnett of Falls Church.

Read more about the 2006 competition. Watch video highlights from the 2005 competition.

MATHCOUNTS is a national enrichment, coaching and competition program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement through grassroots involvement in every U.S. state and territory.

Graduate Scholar Awards in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math

From the proposed “Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act” on the House Democratic Science Committee web site:

establishes the Graduate Scholar Awards in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (GSA-STEM) program at the National Science Foundation (NSF). GSA-STEM is a graduate fellowship program providing 5000 new fellowships per year and modeled on the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship program. Each three-year fellowship awarded follows the student to his/her institution of choice, provides an annual $30,000 stipend, and provides a $15,000 fee to the institution in lieu of tuition. Selection of fellowship recipients follows the guidelines of the existing NSF fellowship program, except that special consideration is given to students who pursue advanced degrees in fields of national need, as determined by an advisory board established for GSA-STEM. Authorizes $225 million for NSF for FY 2007, $450 million for FY 2008, and $675 million per year for FY 2009 through FY 2011.

Updated, on May 8th, comparison of current related legislation (from the Democrat’s site – if there is a Republican alternative version I would be happy to post that, I just could not find a Republican summary – see more info on the Republican science committee “competitiveness” home page):

Competitiveness Report Recommendation: 5,000 new graduate fellowships each year in STEM areas of national need, administered by NSF. FY 2007,

President’s Competitive Initiative: No provision.

House Bills [Gordon]: H.R. 4596 tracks C-2 recommendation. FY 2007, $225 million.

House Bills [Boehlert]: No exactly equivalent provision. Explicitly authorizes the existing Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) program, and authorizes NSF to accept funds from other agencies to carry out the DEd. FY 2007, $225 million.

Senate Bills [PACE, S.2197, S.2198, S.2199; and Lieberman, S.2109]: S.2198 tracks C-1 recommendation, except the program is administered by DEd. FY 2007, $225 million.
S.2109 provides for 250 new graduate fellowships each year. FY 2007, $34 million.

Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

President George W. Bush has announced that 100 educators will receive the annual Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching for 2005. The award was established in 1983. This year, the White House recognizes the best of the Nation’s 7th – 12th grade mathematics and science teachers.

A national panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators recommends teachers to receive the Presidential Awards which are administered by the National Science Foundation.

Awardees receive a $10,000 educational grant for their schools and a trip to Washington, D.C., to accept a certificate. The teachers will be in the Nation’s capital from May 1-6, 2006, to receive the award and participate in a variety of educational and celebratory events.

During the week the teachers will tour the White House and be honored in an awards ceremony hosted by Dr. John H. Marburger III, Science Advisor to the President and Director, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. They will also meet with members of Congress and the Administration to discuss the latest issues in mathematics and science teaching.

For a complete listing of the 2005 awardees visit the Presidential Awardees for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching web site.

Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Mathematics

photo of science presentation

Expanding Your Horizons in Science and Mathematics (EYH)

EYH facilitates conferences for middle school and high school girls on science and math and information on careers involving math and science.

Over 625,000 young women have participated in the these conferences so far. Many of these conferences conduct concurrent programs for parents and educators so they may more effectively support young women and their technical aspirations.

A typical conference takes place on a Saturday at a local college or university and is attended by 200-500 young women from nearby middle schools and high schools. The schedule includes a keynote address encouraging girls to persist in mathematics and science courses, and two varieties of workshops.
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In most of the workshops, young women participate in hands-on learning experiences led by women scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. In other workshops, role models share career awareness information and discuss job satisfaction, necessary education, and descriptions of a typical day on the job.

List of conferences with contact information

Related Posts: Wow! That’s Engineering? – Science Camps Prep Girls – Inspire Students to Study Math and Science – Engineering is Elementary – The Future is Plastics – Intel Science Talent Search Results – Math in the “Real World”

What Happens at an EYH Conference?

A LOT OF FUN!

At an EYH conference, you will attend talks, participate in hands-on workshops, and meet with women scientists and engineers. You will also spend time with other girls who are thinking about their futures. Through these activities you will:

  • Experience the fun of math, science and engineering;
  • Learn about math and science-based careers;
  • Find out about the education required for these professions;
  • Discover what scientists do in a typical day;
  • Obtain first-hand information about the lives of women in science and the various paths leading to careers in the sciences.

Podcasts of previous events

Via: Expanding girls’ horizons

Directory of Science and Engineering Education Sites