Spring 2021 Plenary Sessions

Ron Taylor – Berry College, Section Lecturer 2020-2021
Sat 3/6: 12pm-1pm (CST) https://mhu.zoom.us/j/91352276854

“Patterns of Play: A Recreational View of Mathematics”
The experience that most people have with math is through manipulating symbols or doing numerical calculations. Mathematics students get to see a broader view of mathematics by writing proofs and considering some really interesting mathematical concepts and structures. But seldom do we hear of mathematics as something that is done recreationally, even among people who like mathematics. Some examples of this might be the mathematical structures in games or puzzles. And even though an understanding of mathematics is not necessarily needed to be able to play a game or enjoy a card trick, there are deep mathematical ideas at the core of many of these recreational pursuits. Many of these ideas are even avenues towards research. In this talk we will explore this recreational perspective of mathematics and look at examples of mathematical concepts found in things like origami, parlor games and card tricks.

Julia Barnes – Western Carolina University, 2019 Distinguished Teaching Award Recipient
Sat 3/6: 3:30pm-4:30pm (CST) https://mhu.zoom.us/j/99260425116

“Life on and off a Julia set: A complex look at teaching and life“
What makes us, as teachers, mathematicians, and human beings, different from machines? What do we bring to the table that is unique to us? In this talk, we explore these questions within the framework of some basic complex dynamical systems, addressing how each of our unique approaches to teaching, doing mathematics, and living our lives can be viewed from the perspective of complex dynamics. In the process, we will learn a few basic properties of complex functions and Julia sets, and gain an appreciation for the diversity of our experiences.

Nicole Panza – Francis Marion University, 2019 Distinguished Teaching Award for Beginning Faculty Recipient
Sat 3/6: 3:30pm-4:30pm https://mhu.zoom.us/j/99260425116

“Riding the Wave”
The great thing about life and mathematics is that it can take us to unexpected places. My journey to “figuring out” that I am a math modeler was one of those unexpected turns. That turn has affected me as an educator by reinforcing the emphasis we place on critical thinking and communication in our classrooms.

Ratnasingham Shivaji – University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2020 Distinguished Teaching Award Recipient
Sat 3/13: 12pm-1pm https://mhu.zoom.us/j/94846330350

$\small\textbf{``A comparison result when forcing terms are close to } L^1 \textbf{ norm}"$
$\small \text{Assume } u_i\in C^2[0,1], i=1,2 \text{ satisfy}$
$\small -u_1''\geq h_1 ; (0,1), u_1(0)=0=u_1(1)$
$\small -u_2''\leq h_2 ; (0,1), u_2(0)=0=u_2(1)$
$\small \text{where } h_1\in L^1(0,1) ; i=1,2 \text{ with } h_2\geq 0\text{ and } h_2\not\equiv 0\text{. Given } \epsilon_0>0 \text{ we will establish that } \\ \exists\text{ } \delta>0 \text{ such that }$
$\small u_1\geq (1-\epsilon_0)u_2 ; [0,1]$
$\small \text{provided } ||h_1-h_2||<\delta.$

Andrew Penland – Western Carolina University, 2020 Distinguished Teaching Award for Beginning Faculty Recipient
Sat 3/13: 12pm-1pm https://mhu.zoom.us/j/94846330350

“Fun and Games”
There is much cultural emphasis on the fact that mathematics classes may be required by certain lucrative and serious professions like engineering and chemistry. Many people do not realize that mathematics can also be done in a playful way, for its own joyful sake, like blowing soap bubbles or playing a piano. What can we do to change this? I will share some ideas I’ve had.