Proposals
Below are some proposals for talks from the past (and current). By clicking on the ID number, more details are shown. By default, these are sorted chronologically (recent first) and by then by last name. The data can be sorted by alternate means by using the links at the top right, each allowing ascending or descending orders.
Displaying 281-300 of 471 results.
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ID:
446
Year: 2016
Name: Ruth Berger
Institution: Luther College
Subject area(s): Geometry
Title of Talk: Geometry software: Cinderella
Abstract: Cinderella is an easy to use dynamic software program which allows for constructions in Euclidean, Hyperbolic, and Elliptic geometries. Hyperbolic geometry uses the Poincare disk model. The menu selection in Cinderella is similar to Geometer’s Sketchpad. My course focuses on proofs, but almost every week I have an exploratory Cinderella lab, so students can get a feeling for these other geometries and make conjectures. Well known Euclidean results are verified while students get used to the menu items needed in the construction, then they explore the same construction in the other geometries. In this talk sample questions will be presented and several lab activities will be demonstrated. Cinderella can be downloaded for free at Cinderella.de
Year: 2016
Name: Ruth Berger
Institution: Luther College
Subject area(s): Geometry
Title of Talk: Geometry software: Cinderella
Abstract: Cinderella is an easy to use dynamic software program which allows for constructions in Euclidean, Hyperbolic, and Elliptic geometries. Hyperbolic geometry uses the Poincare disk model. The menu selection in Cinderella is similar to Geometer’s Sketchpad. My course focuses on proofs, but almost every week I have an exploratory Cinderella lab, so students can get a feeling for these other geometries and make conjectures. Well known Euclidean results are verified while students get used to the menu items needed in the construction, then they explore the same construction in the other geometries. In this talk sample questions will be presented and several lab activities will be demonstrated. Cinderella can be downloaded for free at Cinderella.de
ID:
345
Year: 2012
Name: Ivars Peterson
Institution: MAA
Subject area(s): Mathematical Art & Geometry
Title of Talk: Geometreks
Abstract: Few people expect to encounter mathematics on a visit to an art gallery or even a walk down a city street (or across campus). When we explore the world around us with mathematics in mind, however, we see the many ways in which mathematics can manifest itself, in streetscapes, sculptures, paintings, architectural structures, and more. This illustrated presentation offers illuminating glimpses of mathematics, from Euclidean geometry and normal distributions to Riemann sums and M_bius strips, as seen in a variety of structures and artworks in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, New Orleans, and many other locales.
Year: 2012
Name: Ivars Peterson
Institution: MAA
Subject area(s): Mathematical Art & Geometry
Title of Talk: Geometreks
Abstract: Few people expect to encounter mathematics on a visit to an art gallery or even a walk down a city street (or across campus). When we explore the world around us with mathematics in mind, however, we see the many ways in which mathematics can manifest itself, in streetscapes, sculptures, paintings, architectural structures, and more. This illustrated presentation offers illuminating glimpses of mathematics, from Euclidean geometry and normal distributions to Riemann sums and M_bius strips, as seen in a variety of structures and artworks in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, New Orleans, and many other locales.
ID:
346
Year: 2012
Name: Ivars Peterson
Institution: MAA
Subject area(s): Mathematical Counting
Title of Talk: Pancake Sorting, Prefix Reversals, and DNA Rearrangements
Abstract: The seemingly simple problem of sorting a stack of differently sized pancakes has become a staple of theoretical computer science and led to insights into the evolution of species. First proposed in The American Mathematical Monthly, the problem attracted the attention of noted mathematicians and computer scientists. It now plays an important role in the realm of molecular biology for making sense of DNA rearrangements.
Year: 2012
Name: Ivars Peterson
Institution: MAA
Subject area(s): Mathematical Counting
Title of Talk: Pancake Sorting, Prefix Reversals, and DNA Rearrangements
Abstract: The seemingly simple problem of sorting a stack of differently sized pancakes has become a staple of theoretical computer science and led to insights into the evolution of species. First proposed in The American Mathematical Monthly, the problem attracted the attention of noted mathematicians and computer scientists. It now plays an important role in the realm of molecular biology for making sense of DNA rearrangements.
ID:
136
Year: 2005
Name: David Bressoud
Institution: Macalester College
Subject area(s): Mathematics Curriculum
Title of Talk: Undergraduate Programs and Courses in the Mathematical Sciences: CUPM Curriculum Guide 2004
Abstract: The MAA's Committee on the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics (CUPM) is charged with making recommendations to guide mathematics departments in designing curricula for their undergraduate students. The CUPM Curriculum Guide 2004, published last Fall provides an up-to-date perspective on the mathematics curriculum for many different student audiences, including of course our own majors. This session will be a presentation followed by a question and answer session with committee member David Bressoud from Macalester College. Free copies of the Guide and Curriculum Foundations Project will be available for those who come to the session.
Year: 2005
Name: David Bressoud
Institution: Macalester College
Subject area(s): Mathematics Curriculum
Title of Talk: Undergraduate Programs and Courses in the Mathematical Sciences: CUPM Curriculum Guide 2004
Abstract: The MAA's Committee on the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics (CUPM) is charged with making recommendations to guide mathematics departments in designing curricula for their undergraduate students. The CUPM Curriculum Guide 2004, published last Fall provides an up-to-date perspective on the mathematics curriculum for many different student audiences, including of course our own majors. This session will be a presentation followed by a question and answer session with committee member David Bressoud from Macalester College. Free copies of the Guide and Curriculum Foundations Project will be available for those who come to the session.
ID:
107
Year: 2005
Name: Scott Herriott
Institution: Maharishi University of Management
Subject area(s): Math education; college algebra
Title of Talk: The "Basic Four" Elementary Functions and Their Applications in College Algebra
Abstract: The "Basic Four" elementary functions are those that result from the association of an additive or multiplicative change in X with an additive or multiplicative change in Y (linear, exponential, logarithmic and power). We consider the importance of these functions in the college algebra course in terms of the breadth of their applications in the fields of study that college algebra students will major in.
Year: 2005
Name: Scott Herriott
Institution: Maharishi University of Management
Subject area(s): Math education; college algebra
Title of Talk: The "Basic Four" Elementary Functions and Their Applications in College Algebra
Abstract: The "Basic Four" elementary functions are those that result from the association of an additive or multiplicative change in X with an additive or multiplicative change in Y (linear, exponential, logarithmic and power). We consider the importance of these functions in the college algebra course in terms of the breadth of their applications in the fields of study that college algebra students will major in.
ID:
160
Year: 2006
Name: Catherine Gorini
Institution: Maharishi University of Management
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Visualizing Linear Algebra with Geometer
Abstract: I will present Sketchpad labs for visualizing the following concepts in linear algebra: Linear transformations and image, range, kernel, and projection. The determinant of a matrix and the orientation-preserving or-reversing property of the corresponding linear transformation. The determinant a matrix to the area of the image of a unit area under the corresponding linear transformation. Eigenvectors and eigenvalues
Year: 2006
Name: Catherine Gorini
Institution: Maharishi University of Management
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Visualizing Linear Algebra with Geometer
Abstract: I will present Sketchpad labs for visualizing the following concepts in linear algebra: Linear transformations and image, range, kernel, and projection. The determinant of a matrix and the orientation-preserving or-reversing property of the corresponding linear transformation. The determinant a matrix to the area of the image of a unit area under the corresponding linear transformation. Eigenvectors and eigenvalues
ID:
173
Year: 2006
Name: M. Anne Dow
Institution: Maharishi University of Management
Subject area(s): Developmental math course materials
Title of Talk: Some Hands-on Workshops for Elementary and Intermediate Algebra Courses
Abstract: I found all the topics of my Elementary and Intermediate Algebra courses in the greenhouses we recently built on campus to provide organic vegetables for our campus dining hall. In my talk I will present two workshops on linear functions, one about the amount of broccoli seed needed to produce N thousand pounds of broccoli per week, and one about heat loss to the greenhouse during winter. Both require students to think carefully about what the slope means.
Year: 2006
Name: M. Anne Dow
Institution: Maharishi University of Management
Subject area(s): Developmental math course materials
Title of Talk: Some Hands-on Workshops for Elementary and Intermediate Algebra Courses
Abstract: I found all the topics of my Elementary and Intermediate Algebra courses in the greenhouses we recently built on campus to provide organic vegetables for our campus dining hall. In my talk I will present two workshops on linear functions, one about the amount of broccoli seed needed to produce N thousand pounds of broccoli per week, and one about heat loss to the greenhouse during winter. Both require students to think carefully about what the slope means.
ID:
206
Year: 2007
Name: M Anne Dow
Institution: Maharishi University of Management
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Mathematics for Sustainable Living: Pre-Calculus Basics
Abstract: This talk describes a new math course I am designing for our Sustainable Living students. The purpose of the Sustainable Living major is to equip students to design, build, and maintain sustainable communities. The prerequisite for the new math course is Intermediate Algebra. It will cover simple linear models, exponential and logarithmic functions, graphs of functions, trigonometry of triangles, and elementary probability, all in the context of problems and topics arising in our Sustainable Living major.
Year: 2007
Name: M Anne Dow
Institution: Maharishi University of Management
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Mathematics for Sustainable Living: Pre-Calculus Basics
Abstract: This talk describes a new math course I am designing for our Sustainable Living students. The purpose of the Sustainable Living major is to equip students to design, build, and maintain sustainable communities. The prerequisite for the new math course is Intermediate Algebra. It will cover simple linear models, exponential and logarithmic functions, graphs of functions, trigonometry of triangles, and elementary probability, all in the context of problems and topics arising in our Sustainable Living major.
ID:
207
Year: 2007
Name: Catherine Gorini
Institution: Maharishi University of Management
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Geometry for the Artist: A General Education Course
Abstract: This paper will describe the course Geometry for the Artist that I have been teaching for over 20 years at M.U.M. The topics covered symmetry, Euclidean geometry, perspective, fractals, non-Euclidean geometry, and topology. For each topic, we discuss applications in the visual arts with an emphasis on M. C. Escher. This course satisfies the distribution requirement for mathematics.
Year: 2007
Name: Catherine Gorini
Institution: Maharishi University of Management
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Geometry for the Artist: A General Education Course
Abstract: This paper will describe the course Geometry for the Artist that I have been teaching for over 20 years at M.U.M. The topics covered symmetry, Euclidean geometry, perspective, fractals, non-Euclidean geometry, and topology. For each topic, we discuss applications in the visual arts with an emphasis on M. C. Escher. This course satisfies the distribution requirement for mathematics.
ID:
353
Year: 2013
Name: Jennifer Quinn
Institution: Mathematical Association of America
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Fibonacci's Flower Garden
Abstract: It has often been said that the Fibonacci numbers frequently occur in art, architecture, music, magic, and nature. This interactive investigation looks for evidence of this claim in the spiral patterns of plants. Is it synchronicity or divine intervention? Fate or dumb luck? We will explore a simple model to explain the occurrences and wonder whether other number sequences are equally likely to occur. This talk is designed to be appreciated by mathematicians and nonmathematicians alike. So join us in a mathematical adventure through Fibonacci's garden.
Year: 2013
Name: Jennifer Quinn
Institution: Mathematical Association of America
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Fibonacci's Flower Garden
Abstract: It has often been said that the Fibonacci numbers frequently occur in art, architecture, music, magic, and nature. This interactive investigation looks for evidence of this claim in the spiral patterns of plants. Is it synchronicity or divine intervention? Fate or dumb luck? We will explore a simple model to explain the occurrences and wonder whether other number sequences are equally likely to occur. This talk is designed to be appreciated by mathematicians and nonmathematicians alike. So join us in a mathematical adventure through Fibonacci's garden.
ID:
354
Year: 2013
Name: Jennifer Quinn
Institution: Mathematical Association of America
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Mathematics to DIE for: The Battle Between Counting and Matching
Abstract: Positive sums count. Alternating sums match. So which is "easier" to consider mathematically? From the analysis of infinite series, we know that if a positive sum converges, then its alternating sum must also converge but the converse is not true. From linear algebra, we know that the permanent of an n x n matrix is usually hard to calculate, whereas its alternating sum, the determinant, can be computed efficiently and it has many nice theoretical properties. This talk is one part performance art and three parts combinatorics. The audience will judge a combinatorial competition between the competing techniques. Be prepared to explore a variety of positive and alternating sums involving binomial coefficients, Fibonacci numbers, and other beautiful combinatorial quantities. How are the terms in each sum concretely interpreted? What is being counted? What is being matched? Do alternating sums always give simpler results? You decide.
Year: 2013
Name: Jennifer Quinn
Institution: Mathematical Association of America
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Mathematics to DIE for: The Battle Between Counting and Matching
Abstract: Positive sums count. Alternating sums match. So which is "easier" to consider mathematically? From the analysis of infinite series, we know that if a positive sum converges, then its alternating sum must also converge but the converse is not true. From linear algebra, we know that the permanent of an n x n matrix is usually hard to calculate, whereas its alternating sum, the determinant, can be computed efficiently and it has many nice theoretical properties. This talk is one part performance art and three parts combinatorics. The audience will judge a combinatorial competition between the competing techniques. Be prepared to explore a variety of positive and alternating sums involving binomial coefficients, Fibonacci numbers, and other beautiful combinatorial quantities. How are the terms in each sum concretely interpreted? What is being counted? What is being matched? Do alternating sums always give simpler results? You decide.
ID:
203
Year: 2007
Name: In-Jae Kim
Institution: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Sign patterns that allow a positive or nonnegative left inverse
Abstract: An m x n sign pattern S is an m x n matrix with entries in {+,-,0}. An m x n sign pattern S allows a positive (resp., nonnegative) left inverse provided that there exist an m x n matrix A with sign pattern S and an m x n matrix with only positive (resp., nonnegative) entries satisfying BA=I_{n}, where I_{n} is the n x n identity matrix. Using associated bipartite digraphs, we characterize m x n (m >= n >= 2) sign patterns that allow a positive left inverse. This generalizes the known result for the square case. Some results on sign patterns allowing a nonnegative left inverse are also presented. (This is joint work with D.D. Olesky, B.L. Shader and P. van den Driessche.)
Year: 2007
Name: In-Jae Kim
Institution: Minnesota State University, Mankato
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: Sign patterns that allow a positive or nonnegative left inverse
Abstract: An m x n sign pattern S is an m x n matrix with entries in {+,-,0}. An m x n sign pattern S allows a positive (resp., nonnegative) left inverse provided that there exist an m x n matrix A with sign pattern S and an m x n matrix with only positive (resp., nonnegative) entries satisfying BA=I_{n}, where I_{n} is the n x n identity matrix. Using associated bipartite digraphs, we characterize m x n (m >= n >= 2) sign patterns that allow a positive left inverse. This generalizes the known result for the square case. Some results on sign patterns allowing a nonnegative left inverse are also presented. (This is joint work with D.D. Olesky, B.L. Shader and P. van den Driessche.)
ID:
517
Year: 2018
Name: Chris Spicer
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: On Sheldon Primes
Abstract: In a 2015 MAA Math Horizons article, the authors introduced the concept of a Sheldon prime, based on a conversation between several characters in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory. The authors left open whether or not any number other than 73 satisfied the specific properties. Recent work has proven that it is in fact unique. We will introduce Sheldon primes and the number theory behind them, and demonstrate its uniqueness.
Year: 2018
Name: Chris Spicer
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s):
Title of Talk: On Sheldon Primes
Abstract: In a 2015 MAA Math Horizons article, the authors introduced the concept of a Sheldon prime, based on a conversation between several characters in the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory. The authors left open whether or not any number other than 73 satisfied the specific properties. Recent work has proven that it is in fact unique. We will introduce Sheldon primes and the number theory behind them, and demonstrate its uniqueness.
ID:
519
Year: 2018
Name: Eric Canning
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): Mathematics Pedagogy
Title of Talk: The Use of Projects in Calculus II and Linear Algebra
Abstract: I will share my experiences having students, in small groups, create posters and make presentations in Calculus II and Linear Algebra courses. Several students gave poster presentations of their projects at an undergraduate research symposium.
Year: 2018
Name: Eric Canning
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): Mathematics Pedagogy
Title of Talk: The Use of Projects in Calculus II and Linear Algebra
Abstract: I will share my experiences having students, in small groups, create posters and make presentations in Calculus II and Linear Algebra courses. Several students gave poster presentations of their projects at an undergraduate research symposium.
ID:
529
Year: 2019
Name: Mitchel Keller
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): calculus, grading, assessment, feedback
Title of Talk: Standards-based Specifications Grading in First-Year Calculus
Abstract: After growing frustrated with the challenges of traditional, points-based grading in my calculus courses, I implemented a model I describe as standards-based specifications grading in my Calculus II class in Spring 2019 and my Calculus I class in Fall 2019. This model allows students repeated opportunities to demonstrate proficiency on critical aspects of the course and expects completely correct student work. Students are also given a choice of other assignments to do beyond test-type questions in order to earn their desired course grade. In this talk, I will give a brief overview of my experience and share some student feedback on this successful project.
Year: 2019
Name: Mitchel Keller
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): calculus, grading, assessment, feedback
Title of Talk: Standards-based Specifications Grading in First-Year Calculus
Abstract: After growing frustrated with the challenges of traditional, points-based grading in my calculus courses, I implemented a model I describe as standards-based specifications grading in my Calculus II class in Spring 2019 and my Calculus I class in Fall 2019. This model allows students repeated opportunities to demonstrate proficiency on critical aspects of the course and expects completely correct student work. Students are also given a choice of other assignments to do beyond test-type questions in order to earn their desired course grade. In this talk, I will give a brief overview of my experience and share some student feedback on this successful project.
ID:
327
Year: 2012
Name: Eric Canning
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): Experiences with grants
Title of Talk: Who is Grant S. Stem?
Abstract: The Mathematical Sciences department at Morningside College was awarded an S-STEM (NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) grant for the 2009-10 through 2012-13 academic years. I will share our experiences, and maybe some advice, with writing the proposal and maintaining this grant.
Year: 2012
Name: Eric Canning
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): Experiences with grants
Title of Talk: Who is Grant S. Stem?
Abstract: The Mathematical Sciences department at Morningside College was awarded an S-STEM (NSF Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) grant for the 2009-10 through 2012-13 academic years. I will share our experiences, and maybe some advice, with writing the proposal and maintaining this grant.
ID:
329
Year: 2012
Name: Chris Spicer
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): Combinatorics
Title of Talk: 2-Color Rado Numbers
Abstract: Rado numbers are a branch of Combinatorics and are closely related to Ramsey numbers. In this talk, after discussing some of the historical work done on this topic, we will completely determine the 2-color Rado numbers for equations of a certain form.
Year: 2012
Name: Chris Spicer
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): Combinatorics
Title of Talk: 2-Color Rado Numbers
Abstract: Rado numbers are a branch of Combinatorics and are closely related to Ramsey numbers. In this talk, after discussing some of the historical work done on this topic, we will completely determine the 2-color Rado numbers for equations of a certain form.
ID:
394
Year: 2014
Name: Chris Spicer
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): graph theory
Title of Talk: Cops and Robbers on Oriented Graphs
Abstract: Cops and Robbers is a turn-based game traditionally played on graphs. In this talk, we extend this game to oriented graphs. Although a complete characterization of 1-cop-win graphs is known, there is not yet a corresponding characterization for oriented graphs. Necessary conditions are described for an oriented graph to be 1-cop-win, and several results are provided toward finding sufficient conditions.
Year: 2014
Name: Chris Spicer
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): graph theory
Title of Talk: Cops and Robbers on Oriented Graphs
Abstract: Cops and Robbers is a turn-based game traditionally played on graphs. In this talk, we extend this game to oriented graphs. Although a complete characterization of 1-cop-win graphs is known, there is not yet a corresponding characterization for oriented graphs. Necessary conditions are described for an oriented graph to be 1-cop-win, and several results are provided toward finding sufficient conditions.
ID:
448
Year: 2016
Name: Chris Spicer
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): combinatorics, math education
Title of Talk: Extreme Wild Card Poker, or, Engaging Women in Undergraduate Research
Abstract: The first half of this talk will describe a research project completed with 3 undergraduate students last year involving poker played with wild cards. We find the minimum number of wild cards needed to ensure five-of-a-kind is the most common hand. The second half will discuss preliminary results regarding engaging more women in undergraduate mathematics research.
Year: 2016
Name: Chris Spicer
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): combinatorics, math education
Title of Talk: Extreme Wild Card Poker, or, Engaging Women in Undergraduate Research
Abstract: The first half of this talk will describe a research project completed with 3 undergraduate students last year involving poker played with wild cards. We find the minimum number of wild cards needed to ensure five-of-a-kind is the most common hand. The second half will discuss preliminary results regarding engaging more women in undergraduate mathematics research.
ID:
221
Year: 2008
Name: Michael Smith
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): Statistics, Education
Title of Talk: Class Research Projects in Elementary Statistics
Abstract: This talk presents the results of a class data collection project completed in an elementary statistics class, as well as a philosophical discussion of what students can gain from collecting data in a statistics class.
Year: 2008
Name: Michael Smith
Institution: Morningside College
Subject area(s): Statistics, Education
Title of Talk: Class Research Projects in Elementary Statistics
Abstract: This talk presents the results of a class data collection project completed in an elementary statistics class, as well as a philosophical discussion of what students can gain from collecting data in a statistics class.