Math Girls ROCK at Sonia Kovalevsky High School Mathematics Day

Monday, March 20, 2017

The University of Iowa Department of Mathematics held its 12th annual Sonia Kovalevsky High School Mathematics Day on Sat, Mar. 4.

Every year, the Department of Mathematics invites high-school-aged women, their educators, and parents or guardians to a day-long program featuring workshops, interactive talks, and panels of professionals with math-related jobs. The goal of the event is to stimulate young women’s interest in math, introduce them to role models and mentors, and encourage them to continue studying and pursuing careers in the sciences.

This year's theme was "Math Girls R.O.C.K.," with R.O.C.K. being an acronym for Research, Opportunities, Career paths in STEM, and Knowledge. The event had more than 40 participants from Iowa City and surrounding towns, as well as Davenport and Des Moines. Ten local parents and teachers participated, as well.

The event was organized by Tong Li, a professor in the Department of Mathematics in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, and mathematics graduate students Ahn Nguyen, Ranthony Edmonds, and Melanie King. Undergraduates in the department also presented posters and served as panelists for the event.

Participants of Math Girls ROCK in front of Old Capitol.
Participants of Math Girls ROCK in front of the Old Capitol.

 

The University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers about 70 majors across the humanities; fine, performing and literary arts; natural and mathematical sciences; social and behavioral sciences; and communication disciplines. About 15,000 undergraduate and nearly 2,000 graduate students study each year in the college’s 37 departments, led by faculty at the forefront of teaching and research in their disciplines. The college teaches all Iowa undergraduates through the college's general education program, CLAS CORE. About 80 percent of all Iowa undergraduates begin their academic journey in CLAS. The college confers about 60 percent of the university's bachelor's degrees each academic year.