AWM at MathFest 2019

July 31 − August 3, 2019

Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, OH

Thursday, August 1, 2019, 9:00 a.m. − 10:20 a.m.

Room 201 of the Duke Energy Convention Center

Create and Recreate: A Celebration of Women in Recreational Mathematics

Recreational mathematics is an area of active research, and one that has the potential to draw undergraduate researchers into mathematics research. In this hands-on workshop, a variety of women working in recreational mathematics will introduce participants to topics that have the potential to lead to research projects both for the participants and their students.

All are welcome, and students are particularly encouraged to attend! We will have breakout tables with projects to learn about, and the session will kick off with a lightning round explaining each of the projects. All are welcome to join us for an exciting session. Questions? Contact Emelie Kenney at  kenney@siena.edu.

Friday, August 2, 1:30 p.m. − 2:20 p.m.

Grand Ballroom A of the Duke Energy Convention Center

AWM − MAA Etta Z. Falconer Lecture: Dance of the Astonished Topologist…or How I Left Squares and Hexes for Math

Tara Holm, Cornell University

Topology is often called “rubber sheet geometry” and is described as “floppy” while geometry is more “rigid”. Symplectic geometry, the natural geometry of classical mechanics, is floppier than Riemannian geometry but more rigid than topology. I will give a friendly introduction to some geometric and algebraic techniques in topology, proving along the way that a topologist can turn her trousers inside out without taking them off. I will then give an overview of the floppy/rigid spectrum, motivated by many pictures and examples. I will conclude with a description how covering spaces have been useful in my own work in symplectic geometry, and how they can make square dancing more challenging.

Friday, August 2, 8:00 p.m. − 9:00 p.m.

Junior Ballroom C of the Duke Energy Convention Center

MAA Ice Cream Social − AWM Student Chapter Awards

All are invited! Besides cake and ice cream the AWM Student Chapter Prizes will be awarded.

  • AWM Student Chapter Professional Development Award: Colorado School of Mines
  • AWM Student Chapter Community Outreach Award: University of Kentucky
  • AWM Student Chapter Fundraising/Sustainability Award: Florida Atlantic University
  • AWM Student Chapter Scientific Excellence Award: University of Houston

AWM MathFest Committee Members

  • Janet Fierson, LaSalle University
  • Emelie Kenney, Siena College
  • Cassie Williams, James Madison University
  • Sarah Wolff, Denison University

Visit the AWM Booth in the Exhibit Hall

There will be cookies. Swing by the AWM booth, buy a t-shirt, get some AWM swag, learn about the many programs AWM has to offer and meet other AWM’ers! Are you interested in volunteering your time at the booth? Email karoline@awm-math.org to volunteer.