ESU celebrates young women in mathematics

 

Dr. Besty Yanik, center, helps Young-Joo Oh and students from Lebo High School with a math problem during Sonia Kovalevsky Day.

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Emporia State University’s division of mathematics and computer science hosted its annual Sonia Kovalevsky Mathematics Day on February 15 under the direction of Dr. Marvin Harrell and Dr. Besty Yanik, professors in the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Economics.

Students and teachers from southeast Kansas participated in the event. This conference was made possible by a grant from Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation.

"This event is to celebrate your success in mathematics," Yanik told the group of 11th graders. "Sonia Kovalevsky Day is a day-long celebration of women in mathematics and their accomplishments."

The day began with registration and a continental breakfast and a theatrical portrayal of Sonia Kovalevsky. Sonia Kovalevsky was the first woman in modern times to receive a doctorate in mathematics.

“Sonia Kovalevsky Day gives young women the opportunity to see how they can use math in the future and what careers they can go into using math,” said Dana Hess from Burlington High School.

During the day's activities, each young woman selected to participate in two or three hands-on workshops. The workshop choices included "The Big and Small of It" presented by Linda Landis of the Department of Science and Mathematics Education Center; "Taxicab Geometry" presented by Sarah Cook of Washburn University, and "Math Magic" presented by Connie Schrock, professor in the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Economics.

“This is an excellent program. I have brought girls to this conference for years. It is important that young women realize if they have a good base in math and science they can choose any career they want,” said Elie Williams, a math instructor at Council Grove High School. “When I was in college, woman had two options, be a school teacher or go work for a company. It is not like that nowadays and I want my students to know they have choices and the sky’s the limit.”

Students and teachers jointly attended a career discussion from women in math careers. Each career speaker described her job, discussed how mathematics is used in her daily work, and shared personal experiences about life as a professional woman. The morning concluded with a mathematical problem-solving event, led by Harrell and Yanik. Lynn Jenkins, Kansas State Treasurer, presented the luncheon address.

“Today’s conference was a lot of fun and I learned some cool math tricks,” said Christina Miller,” a junior at Council Grove High School.

At the end of the day, a social was held at which refreshments were served and participation certificates were awarded.
“I enjoyed interacting with professional women in math professions,” said Young-Joo Oh, a junior at Lebo High School. “Today was fun and I learned a lot about different math careers.”

Sonia Kovalevsky High School Mathematics Day is a national program started in 1985 by the National Security Agency and the Association for Women in Mathematics. ESU began hosting the event ten years ago with the help of the Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Company. The event recognizes women in their junior year of high school who have excelled in their mathematical studies.

The following teachers and students attended the 2007 Sonia Kovalevsky Day conference:

Burlingame High School: Pam Trimble and Dana Hess, teachers; Brooke Bingham, Heather Kirwan, Samantha Kuhlmann, Jessica Menard, Kate Parker, Sarah Samuelson.

Centre High School: Ben Brakenhoff, teacher; Justine Jennings, Ida Saadon, Nicole Steuzel.

Chase County High School: Dusty Hazelton, teacher; Bailey Gilbreath, Desiree Smith, Erica Tanner.

Council Grove High School: Elie Williams, teacher; Tiffany Carroll, Victoria Davidson, Abby Frese, Christina Miller, Kelsey Smith.

Emporia High School: Carla Queen, teacher; Jessica Booth, Michaela Reynolds

Flint Hills High School: Nancy Thomas, teacher; Trina Carr, Renee Simon

Herington High School: Darlene Griffiths, teacher; Elizabeth Beye, Kaleigh Schneider

Hope High School: Jason Miller, teacher; Samantha Coup; Brandi Gantenbein, Megan Grindle, Haley Sill.

Lebo High School: Mitzi Eagleburger, Tabitha Frye, Young-Joo Oh

Madison High School: Sherry Roth, teacher; Jean Bond, Taryn Ratcliff, Misty Waggoner, Abby Kile, Jordan Schawe, Bethany Whitehurst.

Mission Valley High School: Mark Miller, teacher; Min Ji Kim, Katie Zeller

Northern Heights High School: Marilou Noller; Danielle Dreir, Terra Laird, Katie Fehr, Caitlin Weakley

Olpe High School: Eric True, teacher; Brianna Sage, Kim Underwood, Sharon Zeller

Osage City High School: Tracy Watkins, teacher; Julia Barnhart, Amber Oshel, Sadie Johnson, Chelsea Schubert

Peabody-Burns: Brian Simmonds, teacher; Erica Frederick, Tabitha O’Neal

Southern Coffey County High School: Lisa Braun, teacher; Jamie Bryan, Alicia Strawder

Winfield High School: Becky Meyer, teacher; Johni Smith, Tarday Singsay

 

Last Updated July 2, 2007>