Call for Contributed Papers

The abstract submission deadline was February 8, 2019. The conference schedule will be posted on the section website when it is completed.

CONFERENCE PROGRAM

Talks will be scheduled in concurrent sessions and organized by the general mathematical area as indicated by the abstract. There will be several special sessions on selected mathematical topics.

Special Sessions

Investigations and Strategies that Positively Influence Student Success in Undergraduate Mathematics, Organizers, Wanda Payne (Tennessee State University) and Martene L. Stranberry (Tennessee State University)

As the role of mathematics increases in the Information Age, undergraduate mathematics education plays a significant role in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and non-STEM disciplines due to the mathematical content necessary for the mathematical applications involved in all fields. Since many professions now involve the collection, management, and analysis of large sets of data, it is important for college/university mathematics instructors to equip students with the knowledge, tools, and the skills necessary to recognize patterns, critically think about information, and effectively problem solve. In recent years two major reports, Engage to Excel: Producing One million additional College Graduates with Degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and The Mathematical Sciences in 2025, have called for improvements in undergraduate mathematics education. Both reports discuss the need to align course materials and teaching techniques with the skills necessary for careers. This session continues that discussion by highlighting instructional methods, classroom practices, university culture, and career readiness strategies that impact undergraduate student retention, progression, and graduation, specifically as it relates to the mathematics courses they are required to successfully complete. There are a variety of factors that impact student success in undergraduate mathematics courses. Some of these factors include the following: K-12 education, professional identity development, and the college/university academic environment. This session will encompass presentations on research focused on increasing student success in undergraduate mathematics courses.

Recreational Mathematics, Organizers, Tim Goldberg (Lenoir-Rhyne) and Ron Taylor (Berry College)

“Recreational mathematics is inspired by deep ideas that are hidden in puzzles, games, and other forms of play.” (Robert Vallin, quoted in “Three New SIGMAAs Formed”, by Jacqueline Jensen-Vallin, MAA Focus Vol. 38, No. 2, April/May 2018.) The field of recreational math includes a startling variety of mathematical ideas and strategies, and tends to be especially entertaining and accessible. (They make wonderful examples and research projects for students!)This session is devoted to talks from faculty related to recreational math, in any of its myriad forms!

Math and Sports, Organizer, Tim Chartier (Davidson College)

The topic would include all areas of math and sports from projects in the field, to how to begin a math and sports group at your school to integrate the topic into existing classes.

Makerspaces+Math, Organizer, Jenna Carpenter (Campbell University)

Makerspaces offer students the opportunity to create and visualize models, prototypes, projects and more using CAD software and equipment ranging from 3D printers to embroidery, photography, and vinyl cutting machines. The opportunities to tie in mathematical concepts are many. This session explores ways to use makerspaces to enhance and expand mathematics curricular and extracurricular instruction.

Supporting the Success of Women in Math, Organizer, Jenna Carpenter (Campbell University)

Among STEM majors, mathematics boasts more women at the undergraduate level (at 41% as of 2015) than some other STEM disciplines, such as engineering (at 20%). Yet women constitute only about a quarter of all new math PhDs and tenure-stream math faculty in the US, with only 11% of full professors of math at PhD-granting institutions being women. Research clearly shows that environmental and social barriers such as stereotypes, gender bias and the climate in STEM departments at the university-level continue to deter recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in STEM fields at all levels. This session will focus on strategies for supporting the success of women in math, from the undergraduate through graduate and faculty levels.

Innovative Teaching Methods Organizer, Toyin Alli and Bobby Benim (University of Georgia)

This session will consist of presentations of effective and innovative classroom techniques that address the reasoning behind, design, and implementation of resources or activities. This may include whole course techniques (not necessarily original to the presenter) or drop-in activities to facilitate student learning and reflection in any course.

Mathematical Experiences and Projects in Business, Industry and Government(BIG) , Organizers, John Asplund (Dalton State University), Caroline Maher-Boulis(Lee University), David Stone, (Georgia Southern University), Jan Rychtar (UNC Greensboro).

There are many problems in business, industry and government that are best tackled by mathematicians. There has been a growth in the recent years in the number of undergraduate students who get involved in solving BIG problems or take part in a mathematical internship program. We seek presentersfrom all groups—faculty, undergraduate/graduate students and business partners—to share examples of their experiences. In addition to disseminating theseexperiences, this session will raise awareness for students who have not had theexperience on what to expect in BIG as mathematicians.