AWM at MathFest 2017

July 26 – 29, 2017, Chicago, IL

Friday, July 28, 2017, 8:00 a.m. – 8:25 a.m., outside International Ballroom North

AWM – MAA Morning Coffee

The Association for Women in Mathematics and the Mathematical Association of America invite you to enjoy coffee and light refreshments before the Eta Z. Falconer Lecture.

Friday, July 28, 2017, 8:30 a.m. – 9:20 a.m., International Ballroom North

AWM – MAA Etta Z. Falconer Lecture: Not So Hidden Figures: Unveiling Mathematical Talent

Talithia Williams, Harvey Mudd College

In the past few months, the movie “Hidden Figures” has brought visibility to the lives of African American women who served as NASA “human computers” in the 1960s. During that same time, Dr. Etta Falconer, the 11th African American woman to receive a Ph.D. in mathematics, began her tenure at Spelman College, motivating young women of color to be and do more than they dreamed possible in a field where their presence was lacking. I was fortunate to take her classes, engage her mathematical mind and dream of following in her footsteps. At Harvey Mudd College, I now find myself replicating those “Falconer moments” with my own students. I’ll share several of these strategies that you can use in and out of the classroom to encourage all students, particularly underrepresented students, to develop their mathematical talent and pursue mathematical sciences.

Friday, July 28, 2017, 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Salon A-3

AWM Invited Paper Session: No Longer Hidden Figures: Women Mathematicians Share Their Path to the Profession

  • Abstracts
  • Organizers:
    • Jacqueline Jensen-Vallin, Lamar University
    • Talithia Williams, Harvey Mudd College
    • Alissa Crans, Loyola Marymount Univeristy

The recent blockbuster hit, Hidden Figures, shines light on the talented group of African American women mathematicians that helped lead the United States in the race to become the first country to put a man on the moon. Their passion for mathematical excellence and desire to make meaningful contributions to the greater society allowed them to persevere in circumstances that were not always welcoming. In this series of talks, the speakers will take us on a journey from their budding mathematical interest to their individual paths to the profession, including any stumbling blocks along the way. Our hope is that these talks provide the audience with concrete experiences and ideas that can be implemented in and out of the classroom as we all seek to broaden the participation of women and underrepresented groups in mathematics.

  • 2:00 p.m. – 2:20 p.m. The “Firsts” in STEM: Modern Day ‘Hidden Figures’
  • Talitha Washington, Howard University
  • 2:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. A Quest to Cure Cancer with Math
  • Shelby Wilson, Morehouse College
  • 3:00 p.m. – 3:20 p.m. Young, Mathematically Gifted, and Black
  • Candice Price, University of San Diego
  • 3:30 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. A Path, Thus Far…
  • Suzanne Weekes, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
  • 4:00 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. Life Has Critical Points
  • Emille Davie Lawrence, University of San Francisco
  • 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Panel Discussion

Friday, July 28, 2017, 8:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., CONTINENTAL FOYER

MAA Ice Cream Social/AWM Student Chapter Awards Presentation

Besides cake and ice cream, we will recognize all students who gave talks in the MAA Student Paper Sessions. Prizes will be awarded for the best of these talks, and the AWM Student Chapter Awards will also be presented. All are invited.

Saturday, July 29, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., SALON A-4

Math Potluck: A Student Swap Session

  • Organizers:
    • Alissa Crans, Loyola Marymount University
    • Jacqueline Jensen-Vallin, Lamar University
    • Candice Price, University of San Diego
    • Alejandra Alvarado, Eastern Illinois University
    • Dora Ahmadi, Morehead State University
    • Timothy Fest, SIAM
    • Angela Spalsbury, Youngstown State University

    This session is jointly sponsored by the AWM, MAA, PME, and SIAM

Calling all undergrads and faculty advisors! Does your department have (or want!) a Math Club or student chapter of the AWM, MAA, PME, or SIAM? This session will provide a forum for sharing your favorite or most successful student activity. The presenter(s) will provide a “how-to” for a single math event that a math club or student chapter has held. Together, we will build a toolbox of successful activities to take back to each of our campuses! Following the morning presentations, a free lunch will be held for all presenters and attendees of this session to promote continued discussion and collaboration amongst participants. Please indicate in your abstract submission whether your group is a Math Club or student chapter of AWM, MAA, PME, or SIAM.

Please visit the AWM Booth (#404) in the Exhibit Hall/Batelle South during the exhibit hours. Starting July 27th, the exhibit area is open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm, Thursday and Friday and 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.