Contact: Abby Barber
Want students to learn the principles of mathematics without the anxiety the subject sometimes produces? Give them problems that involve chocolate candies, bubbles and the lottery.
That will be the premise April 11 for the 2003 Sonia Kovalevsky High School Mathematics Day observance at Mississippi State. The 8 a.m.-3 p.m. event, sponsored by the university and Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, is expected to attract more than 150 students and their teachers.
In addition to hands-on learning activities, the schedule includes problem-solving and online trivia competitions.
Sonia Kovalevsky Day is sponsored nationally by the Association for Women in Mathematics. It honors the Russian mathematics pioneer (1850-91) who overcame great barriers to become the first modern European woman to earn a doctorate in mathematics and win the prestigious Prix Bordin award for research.
"Our workshops portray math in a fun way," said Jane L. Harvill of MSU's department of mathematics and statistics. "We want the students to have a good time while coming away with the desire to continue studying math."
Participation is free and the first 200 registered participants will be provided a meal card for lunch on campus.
To register or learn more about the competitions, visit http://www.msstate.edu/dept/math/skday/ or contact Harvill or Vivien Miller at (662) 325-3414.