2025 Section Meeting
Conference Summary
The 2025 Section Meeting will be held at Idaho State University in Pocatello Idaho.
Registration
Registration Rates
$50 - University Faculty (Non-MAA Member)
$40 - University Faculty (MAA Member)
$20 - University Students, High School Teachers, and all others
Registration will be open up to the day of the conference and can also be done on-site. When registering online, you can also add on a dinner for the program/talk on Friday night ($35), a box lunch for Saturday ($12), and sign up for the “AI Essentials Workshop” conducted by Lew Ludwig (free, details below). Note that meal options need to be submitted by March 6!
IF YOU HAVE DIETARY RESTRICTIONS/PREFERENCES: Please choose the option closest to what you would prefer to eat. You will then have an opportunity to enter additional instructions to catering, and they will make a version of that meal that meets your instructions.
IDAHO STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS AND ISU DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS & STATISTICS FACULTY: Please register using the email address math@isu.edu.
hotel options
Blocks of rooms have been reserved at the hotels below under the name “MAA Conference” for March 14 and 15. Both are just a couple miles from campus and include breakfast. Reservations at these hotels need to be made by March 1 to get the rate listed.
UPDATE (March 3): A block of rooms is still available at the price listed below at Towneplace Suites. These will remain available until Friday, March 7 or until sold out.
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151 Vista Dr., Pocatello, ID (208) 233-8200, #4
10 King and 10 Double Queen, conference rate is $104/night plus tax
To reserve call the local hotel number directly (208) 233-8200, then Option #4 (not the option 'to make a reservation').
(Cancellation policy: at least 24 hours ahead.)
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2376 Via Caporatti Dr. Pocatello, ID (208) 478-7000
20 rooms plus 10 King Suites, 7 Double Queen Suites, conference rate is $109/night plus tax
(Cancellation policy: at least 48 hours ahead)
Program and SCHEDULE
The schedule can now be found in the document linked below. Note that there are some minor changes from the schedule that was posted online previously.
Student Activity: Math/Stats Jeopardy
Any undergraduate students who are interested may participate. Sign-up will take place at the conference.
Invited Address: Allison Henrich, Seattle University
Title: How to Turn Your Knots from Blah to Fabulous
Abstract: Are you tired of tying boring old shoelace knots? Frustrated with messy knots in your spaghetti that are impossible to undo? Wish you could make friends and influence people with your amazing knot-tying ability? Join us and learn to harness the power of mathematics and the fourth dimension to unlock the secrets of knots.
Bio: Allison Henrich is a Professor of Mathematics at Seattle University and editor of MAA FOCUS, the newsmagazine of the MAA. She enjoys collaborating with students on research, especially on problems related to knots and games. She coauthored the books An Interactive Introduction to Knot Theory and A Mathematician’s Practical Guide to Mentoring Undergraduate Research, and she coedited the Euler Prize-winning book Living Proof: Stories of Resilience Along the Mathematical Journey. In 2024, she was excited to publish her most recent co-authored book, a tool for undergraduate math majors called Navigating the Math Major: Charting Your Course.
Invited Address: Emilie Purvine, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Title: Graphs and Hypergraphs and Topology, Oh My!
Abstract: Mathematical structures and concepts can be great models of real-world data. For example, differential equations have a long history of success in applied mathematics to model dynamics found in rivers and oceans, the atmosphere, and molecular systems (just to name a few!). Network science is an area of applied math that uses graph structures to model relational systems like social, collaboration, and transportation networks. Graphs, however, are limited to modeling pairwise relationships among entities. Hypergraphs and topological spaces provide alternate models of relational systems that allow for arbitrary sized and structured relationships. In this talk I will introduce the mathematical concepts of graphs, hypergraphs, and topology and show how they are used to model real-world data from a variety of applications including biological systems, chemistry measurements, and cyber networks. We’ll also talk about what measurements and properties of these structures can tell us about the systems they model.
Bio: Dr. Emilie Purvine is a mathematician and Chief Data Scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. She joined PNNL in 2011 after receiving her PhD in mathematics from Rutgers University with a focus on enumerative combinatorics and nonlinear recurrence relations. While at PNNL Emilie has had the opportunity to contribute to a variety of projects tackling hard problems in applications including computational biology and chemistry, power grid modeling, cyber network analysis, and knowledge models. Her current mathematical research focus is on topological data analysis applied to discrete structures like graphs and hypergraphs. Much of her work involves finding mathematical nuggets in applied domains and working on theoretical advances to enable operational progress.
Emilie also greatly values the ability to make mentoring a focus of her work. She loves to give presentations to students at all levels to provide an example of what a mathematician can do outside of academia. Interns and postgraduates (2-3 year temporary employees including post bachelors, post masters, and postdoc) are always included into her projects to promote on the job learning.
Outside of her core work activities Emilie has also been the chair of the MAA’s Membership Committee and an associate editor of the AMS Notices. In her free time Emilie spends time with her friends and family, enjoys a good book, loves the outdoors and traveling to new destinations.
WOrkshop: Lew Ludwig, Denison University
Title: AI Essentials: Getting Up to Speed for Informed Decisions
Overview: Are you hesitant about integrating AI into your courses? Uncertain how it can be utilized effectively in academia? You're not alone. Many educators feel overwhelmed by the rapid advancements in AI technology and its implications for teaching and research.
Workshop Details: Join us for a two-hour workshop designed to demystify AI and empower you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about its use. We'll start with an introduction to Large Language Models, explaining how they work and the ethical considerations they entail.
What to bring: Participants should bring a Wi-Fi-enabled laptop to fully engage in the hands-on portion of the workshop.
Hands-On Experience: The workshop will quickly pivot to a hands-on session with these AI models. You'll gain firsthand experience to understand their capabilities and limitations. This practical exposure is crucial for evaluating how AI can enhance your professional tasks—from developing course materials and improving annual reports to assisting in research tasks like literature reviews and grant proposal assessments.
Application in Education and Research: We'll explore potential applications of AI in academia, such as:
Creating personalized learning assistants for students.
Utilizing AI tools to streamline course content creation.
Leveraging AI for efficient research tasks such as literature reviews and vetting grant proposals.
Outcome: By the end of this workshop, you will have a clearer understanding of when and how AI can be beneficial in your teaching and research activities. You will also learn strategies to guide your students in the responsible use of AI tools.
Recommendation: While no prior experience with AI is required, participants are encouraged to consider a premium AI service like ChatGPT Plus, Claude Pro, or Gemini Advanced, each available at approximately $20/month. This investment will enable you to experience the full capabilities of advanced AI models during the workshop.
Please Note: This workshop acknowledges the practical limitations of controlling technology use outside the classroom. Instead of attempting to AI-proof assignments, we focus on informed usage and ethical considerations.
Bio: Lew Ludwig, Director of the Center for Learning and Teaching and Professor of Mathematics at Denison University, is recognized for his leadership in educational development, particularly in the integration of generative AI into higher education. He received the Distinguished Teaching Award from the Ohio Section of the Mathematical Association of America in 2013 and served as a project leader for the MAA Instructional Practices Guide, a resource promoting evidence-based instructional strategies in undergraduate mathematics education. With over 40 workshops to his credit, he has shared his expertise on both local and national stages. In 2021, he was honored with the POD Innovation Award for a pioneering faculty development program. Skilled in creating webinars and workshops, Lew is passionate about advancing mathematics education through innovative teaching methodologies and fostering inclusive learning environments.
IDAHO STATE TEACHING AND LEARNING SYMPOSIUM
An additional event, hosted by Idaho State University’s Program for Instructional Effectiveness, will be held on Friday, March 14 as well. For further information and registration, see their website. Zoom links will be available for those who register.
February Speaker Series: Dr. Derek Eckman
A Theoretical Framework for Describing Students’ Use of Mathematical Notations
Abstract: University mathematics coursework is replete with representations to which instructors ascribe distinct, interconnected meanings. Students, as apprentices within the field of mathematics, are expected to gain access to and fluently use these conventions in various ways to describe their thinking. In this presentation, I present the Expressions framework, a theoretical model I constructed from qualitative data to describe students’ construction of representations (i.e., expressions of thinking) to organize, record, or convey their thinking about mathematical ideas. I also present empirical data for three meanings students might attribute to their personally created algebraic notations in the context of infinite series convergence and logic of conditional statements. This framework is useful in contextualizing students’ development of meaning for notation, describing unique student symbolization, and providing a method for instructors to more explicitly describe the conventional ways mathematicians utilize and attribute meaning to representations.
This talk is appropriate for faculty, undergraduate students, and a more general audience.
Biography: Derek Eckman is an assistant professor of mathematics education at Idaho State University. He began his career as a high school mathematics instructor before earning his Ph.D. in mathematics education from Arizona State University. His current research interests involve undergraduate students’ construction and utilization of representations to convey their thinking, investigating how alternative grading methods impact student performance in current and future classes, and students’ construction of logic in proof contexts (e.g., quantification, conditional logic). He is also a member of Idaho State University’s NOYCE grant team and is working toward starting a mathematics education-oriented track in his department’s doctoral program.
Outside of school, Derek enjoys performing and creating music on the piano, organ, trumpet, and vocally. He also reads in a book club with his wife, cycles with his kids, and tries to cook meals that elicit as few groans as possible.
Contact: derekeckman@isu.edu
April Speaker Series: Dr. Md Sazib Hasan
FIDUCIAL DISTRIBUTION TO ESTIMATE THE PARAMETERS OF LOGNORMAL DISTRIBUTION FOR COMPLETE, CENSORED OR ZERO INFLATED DATA
Abstract: Fiducial inference was introduced in the first half of the 20th century by Fisher (1935). While the method originally fell out of favor due to nonexactness issues in multivariate cases, the method has garnered renewed interest in the last decade. Fiducial inference attempts to find a middle ground between the frequentist and Bayesian perspectives. The fiducial argument allows one to fit a posterior-like distribution on a target parameter θ in a way that is entirely data-driven and does not rely on a sometimes-arbitrary prior selection. While the strengths and limitations of generalized fiducial inference (GFI) continue to be explored, its usefulness has already been illustrated in numerous practical applications. This talk will be focusing on implementation of fiducial distributions to estimate different parameters of lognormal distribution based on complete, censored or zero-inflated data. Practical examples will demonstrate that the fiducial methods are accurate and practically exact even for small samples.
This talk is appropriate for faculty, undergraduate students, and a more general audience.
Biography: Md Sazib Hasan is an Assistant Professor of Mathematics in the Department of Mathematics at Utah Tech University. He has been teaching at UT since 2019. He received his PhD. in Statistics from University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2019. His doctoral dissertation was in fiducial inference for Lognormal distribution which primarily applied to real-world issues in environmental sciences and pollution studies.
His research interest lies in small sample problems, statistical inference, and statistical learning. Hasan is a Project-NExT fellow and demonstrates a keen interest in undergraduate research, evidenced by his mentorship resulting in twenty-four student presentations across local, regional, and national conferences. Currently, he is serving as a First Vice Chair at the MAA Intermountain Section.
Contact: MdSazib.Hasan@utahtech.edu
2024 Section Meeting
Conference Summary
The 2024 Section Meeting will be held at Westminster University in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Registration
Registration Rates:
University Faculty: $50 (Non-MAA Member), $40 (MAA Member)
University Student: $20
Non-University Guest: $20
High School Teacher: $20
Banquet: $35
hotel options
We have reserved a block of rooms at SpringHill Suites for $179 per night. Reservation closes at the end of the day on March 8, 2024. Westminster University guests may also receive discounted rates at other nearby partnered hotels.
SpringHill Suites Reservation Link
Program and schedule
FRIDAY
All Friday events are located in the Kim T. Adamson Alumni House (building #20 on the Campus Map).
5:00PM: Registration and check-in
6:00PM: Banquet and Welcoming remarks
6:15PM: Invited Talk - Kathryn Leonard
7:00PM: Presentation of Intermountain MAA Section Teaching Award
SATURDAY
All Saturday events are located in the Gore School of Business (building #4 on the Campus Map).
9:00AM: Registration and check-in
9:30AM: Invited Talk - Edray Goins
10:30AM: Morning Break
10:45AM: Morning Parallel Sessions
12:15PM: Lunch
1:00PM: Afternoon Parallel Sessions
2:15PM: Invited Talk - Vinodh Chellamuthu
3:30PM: Closing and Recreational Activities
Campus Map and Parking
On Friday, events will be held in Building 20. Parking in lot B or C is recommended. Due to heavy traffic around this time, approaching 1700 S from 700 E is usually best.
On Saturday, events will be held in Building 4. Parking in lot A is recommended.
No special considerations (parking passes, fees, etc.) need to be made for parking at the conference as all our events are held after parking enforcement ends.
Banquet
A welcome banquet will be held on Friday, March 29 in conjunction with Kathryn Leonard’s invited address. Menu options are
LEBANESE AIRLINE CHICKEN BREAST: Grilled airline chicken breast marinated with lemon, olive oil and garlic served with
grilled eggplant, tahini and pomegranate.
LIME MARINATED FLANK STEAK: Char-grilled flank steak marinated in lime juice, garlic and fresh cilantro served with coconut
jasmine rice and grilled corn succotash.
BUTTERNUT SQUASH QUINOA CAKES WITH MORNAY (VEGAN): Quinoa cake made with butternut squash, ground flaxseed, kale, gluten free flour & sage served with mornay sauce and grilled fresh asparagus.
All options include dinner roll, salad, dessert, coffee, hot tea, and iced tea.
Saturday Lunch
Two lunch options will be given at the conference on Saturday, March 30. Menu options are
VEGAN WRAP: Hummus wrap with zucchini & dukkah. Non-GMO tortilla with grilled zuchinni, hummus, red pepper, baby spinach, red onion and dukkah seasoning.
CLASSIC TURKEY CLUB: Smoked turkey with Swiss cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise on sourdough bread.
Both lunch options include baked or regular potato chips, an apple, dessert, and beverage.
Abstract submission and activity sign-up
Calculus Bee (Sign up open until the conference starts)
If you encounter difficulties with signing up, please contact Skyler Simmons (skyler.simmons@uvu.edu).
Invited Address: Kathryn Leonard, Occidental College
TITLE: Computational Creativity
ABSTRACT: If you believe the headlines, technology is replacing artists with algorithms. But ChatGPT is not the first advance in mathematical modeling to interface with human creativity. Much as photography once changed the art landscape but did not destroy it, current technological frameworks represent an opportunity for new directions in a long-standing creative collaboration between humans and technology. This presentation will share a few examples of the interplay between computational discovery and human creativity, showing both how technology supports creativity and also how questions arising from the creative process lead to new mathematical explorations and results. It will also outline some considerations to ensure that the collaboration is positive and beneficial rather than exploitative and demeaning for the humans involved.
BIO: Kathryn Leonard is Associate Dean for Curricular Affairs and Professor of Computer Science at Occidental College in Los Angeles. Her research interests are in geometric modeling with applications to computer vision, computer graphics, and data science. She is the Director of the NSF-funded Center for Undergraduate Research in Mathematics, an organization that funds student research groups at institutions across the US with an eye toward supporting transfer pathways. Her work has been recognized with a CAREER award from NSF, the Henry L. Alder Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Mathematical Association of America, and a Service Award from the Association for Women in Mathematics, where she was also president from 2021-2023. She became a math major in her junior year of college, after her petition to waive the university’s math GE requirement was rejected. She is also on the Board of Directors of Steam:Coders, a non-profit to make STEAM education accessible to all. She has held positions at California State University, Channel Islands, where she helped build a university, Caltech, and the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute.
Invited Address: Edray Goins, Pomona College
TITLE: Clocks, Parking Garages, and the Solvability of the Quintic: A Friendly Introduction to Monodromy
ABSTRACT: Imagine the hands on a clock. For every complete the minute hand makes, the seconds hand makes 60, while the hour hand only goes one twelfth of the way. We may think of the hour hand as generating a group such that when we ``move'' twelve times then we get back to where we started. This is the elementary concept of a monodromy group. In this talk, we give a gentle introduction to a historical mathematical concept which relates calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and group theory into one neat theory called “monodromy”. We explore lots of real world applications, including why it’s so easy to get lost in parking garages, and present some open problems in the field. We end the talk with a discussion of how this is all related to solving polynomial equations, such as Abel’s famous theorem on the insolubility of the quintic by radicals.
BIO: Edray Herber Goins grew up in South Los Angeles, California. The product of the Los Angeles Unified (LAUSD) public school system, Goins attended the California Institute of Technology, where he majored in mathematics and physics, and earned his doctorate in mathematics from Stanford University. He has worked as a researcher at both Harvard and the National Security Agency; and has taught at both Caltech and Purdue. Goins is currently a Professor of Mathematics at Pomona College in Claremont, California. He has published over 25 journal articles in areas such as applied mathematics, graph theory, number theory, and representation theory; and on topics such as Diophantine equations, elliptic curves, and African Americans in mathematics. He runs a federally-funded Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) titled Pomona Research in Mathematics Experience (PRiME).
INVITED ADDRESS: Vinodh Chellamuthu, Utah Tech University
TITLE: From Precision to Problem-Solving: Expanding the Math Mindset
ABSTRACT: Too often, students think learning math is a sequence of step-by-step procedures to solve problems that have only one solution classified as right or wrong. After years of cultivating this mindset, students come to believe that every problem is like this. But when students begin their careers, they will discover that real-world problems are almost never arranged so neatly, with clearly defined terms and constraints, and only one solution. These encounters with multifaceted problems can be very uncomfortable. Providing opportunities for our students to grapple with messy uncomfortable real-world projects before they graduate is essential. Through these experiences, students can build their creativity, enhance their lateral thinking, and discover their potential is unlimited.
BIO: Dr. Vinodh Chellamuthu is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Utah Tech University in St. George, Utah. He is deeply committed to enhancing the education of future scientists by creating opportunities for career development through research, which he considers a high-impact teaching pedagogy. Dr. Chellamuthu has mentored several undergraduate research projects originating from business, industry, and government agencies. During his tenure at Utah Tech, he has guided over 50 undergraduates in 32 research projects. These projects have resulted in more than 120 student research presentations at various conferences, including several awards for outstanding student presentations and publications in peer-reviewed journals. In recognition of his success as a teacher-mentor, Dr. Chellamuthu has received the 2022 Henry Alder Award from the Mathematical Association of America, the 2020 Early Career Mentoring Award from the Council on Undergraduate Research, the Distinguished Teaching Award from the MAA’s Intermountain Section, and the Distinguished Teaching Award from Utah Tech University. Currently, Dr. Chellamuthu serves as a councilor on the Council on Undergraduate Research, Chair for BIG SIGMAA, and Program Coordinator for UR SIGMAA.
February Speaker Series: Dr. Jody Reimer
UNCERTAINTY QUANTIFICATION FOR ECOLOGICAL DYNAMICS: MODELING HETEROGENEOUS ICE ALGAL BLOOMS
Abstract: When parameterizing dynamical systems models of biological processes, we often use summary statistics (e.g., the mean) reported in experimental or observational studies. However, these summary statistics are abstractions, concealing variation occurring over space, time, or among individuals. Further, we know that the behavior of a nonlinear model using mean parameter values will differ from the mean model behavior if the parameter is instead treated as a random variable. Algae growing within polar sea ice provides an example of a system where extreme local heterogeneity in environmental conditions results in local heterogeneity in algal growth rates. Ignoring this and using a fixed, mean growth parameter to approximate regional dynamics can result in incorrect predictions of bloom timing and magnitude. Instead, algal growth rates at a given location should be treated as a random variable capturing the known heterogeneity. In this talk, I will provide an introduction to generalized polynomial chaos methods as an elegant, computationally efficient method for incorporating heterogeneous growth rates into standard algal bloom models, resulting in improved predictions of bloom dynamics. This method is broadly applicable for any system where local heterogeneity needs to be accounted for when considering aggregate dynamics over larger scales.
This talk is appropriate for faculty, undergraduate students, and a more general audience.
Biography: Dr. Jody Reimer is an Assistant Professor at the University of Utah in both the Department of Mathematics and the School of Biological Sciences. She received her PhD in 2019 from the University of Alberta, Canada, working with Mark Lewis and Andrew Derocher, and an MSc as a Rhodes scholar at the University of Oxford, working with Philip Maini and Michael Bonsall. Her research interests include population dynamics, uncertainty quantification, integrating models and data, and optimal control theory. Much of her work is motivated by the biology of polar regions--from polar bears to ice algae--and, more recently, by the ecology of the Great Salt Lake.
Contact: jody.reimer@utah.edu
November Speaker Series: Dr. Aysel Erey
Graph Coloring
Abstract: A proper coloring of a graph is an assignment of colors to the vertices of the graph such that no two adjacent vertices receive the same color. Graph coloring is a classical subject in Graph Theory which contains many challenging problems. The famous Four-Color Theorem which stood as an unsolved problem for over a century says that every planar graph has a proper 4-coloring. Graph coloring has also numerous applications to real world problems such as scheduling and timetabling. In this talk, I will discuss some graph coloring results, problems and applications.
This talk is appropriate for faculty, undergraduate students, and a more general audience.
Biography: Dr. Aysel Erey is an assistant professor in the Department Mathematics and Statistics at Utah State University. She received her Ph.D. from Dalhousie University in Canada. Her research interests are in the area of Graph Theory.
Contact: aysel.erey@usu.edu
October Speaker Series: Dr. Doug Corey, Brigham Young University
Sharing Lesson-Specific Instructional Knowledge
Abstract: Do you know instructors that teach well, where you would love to get into their heads about how they reason through their lessons? Or, do you have a lesson about an important mathematical idea that you have refined over time, and that you think would be valuable to other instructors? Questions like this prompted us to develop a written genre for sharing lesson-specific teaching knowledge in undergraduate mathematics. In this discussion I introduce a way to share the results of having carefully crafted and refined a lesson over time, which we (my coauthors) call Lesson Analysis Manuscripts (LAMs). LAMs can help us learn from each other, and incrementally improve undergraduate math teaching, through detailed accounts of specific lessons. Importantly, we emphasize sharing knowledge and skills that aren’t usually part of our teaching conversations, such as how to think through instructional choices, how to lead classroom discussions to support learning, and how to describe the student thinking in our classrooms.
This talk is appropriate for faculty, undergraduate students, and a more general audience.
Biography: Dr. Doug Corey is a professor of Mathematics Education at Brigham Young University. His research has focused on elements and characteristics of high-quality instruction; Japanese math instruction and teacher education; and sharing detailed, lesson-specific instructional knowledge through carefully crafted lesson plans. He is co-editor, with his colleague Steven Jones, of a recent book published by the MAA: Sharing and Storing Knowledge about Teaching Undergraduate Mathematics. The book introduces a written genre for college mathematics instructors to share lesson-specific knowledge, a genre they call Lesson Analysis. His real love is teaching math, and showing the power of math to make sense of the everyday world. He recently turned this love into a youtube channel called "MathTheWorld" which mathematically analyzes everyday situations.
Contact: corey@mathed.byu.edu
April Speaker Series: Dr. Vinodh Chellamuthu, Utah Tech University
MATHEMATICAL MODELS FOR INVESTIGATING THE DYNAMICS OF MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES AND CLIMATE EFFECTS
Abstract: In this talk, we will discuss two undergraduate research projects that use mathematical models to investigate the population ecology and transmission dynamics of mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue and West Nile virus. Specifically, the talk will focus on the potential impact of successful biocontrol strategies, including the release of Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes and the control of larvae and adult mosquito populations, on mitigating the spread of these diseases. We will also highlight how incorporating local temperature data and the passive immunity of birds into models can aid in predicting disease transmission dynamics.
This talk is appropriate for faculty, undergraduate students, and a more general audience.
Bio: Dr. Vinodh Chellamuthu is an associate professor of mathematics at Utah Tech University in St. George, Utah. He received his MS in applied mathematics from Tulane University and PhD in mathematics from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He is firmly committed to promoting quality education for future scientists by creating opportunity channels for career development through research as a high impact teaching pedagogy. He has mentored several undergraduate research projects coming directly from business, industry, and government agencies. His work with students has been supported by MAA’s PIC Math and NREUP grants and funding from the Center for Undergraduate Research in Mathematics. In recognition of his success as a teacher-mentor, Dr. Chellamuthu has received the Early Career Mentoring Award from CUR, the Distinguished Teaching Award from the MAA’s Intermountain Section, and the Distinguished Teaching Award from Utah Tech University. Dr. Chellamuthu currently serves as a councilor on the Council on Undergraduate Research, Vice-Chair of Programs for BIG SIGMAA, Program Coordinator for UR SIGMAA, and past Chair for the MAA Intermountain Section.
March Speaker Series: Dr. Erin Beckman (Utah State University)
Mathematical Models of Evolution
Abstract: Mathematicians have often used probability to model evolutionary ideas. The complicated dynamics of how populations change over time inspire new and exciting mathematical systems and interactions. Despite the different settings of these models, many common themes can be observed in the dynamics and results. In this talk, we’ll discuss a few of these models, ranging from more historical setups to ongoing research.
This talk is appropriate for faculty, undergraduate students, and a more general audience.
Bio: Dr. Erin Beckman is an Assistant Professor at Utah State University. Before joining the faculty at USU, Erin did her graduate work at Duke University and her postdoc in Montreal, Quebec. Her research is in the field of probability, where she is interested in problems with applications in biology and connections to partial differential equations.
2023 Section Meeting
Conference Summary
Conference Program and Campus Map
Registration and Abstract Submission
Registration Link - Fees are as indicated below.
University Faculty: $50 (non-MAA Member), $40 (MAA Member)
University Student: $20
Non-University Guest: $20
High School Teacher: $20
Ask about student scholarship opportunities to help offset travel and lodging!
Lodging Recommendations
The hotels listed below are within walking distance of the conference:
There are many other accommodations in St. George which are not too far by vehicle.
Student Activity Descriptions
Calculus Bee
The Calculus Bee is a FUN Mathematical event to see who can compute calculus problems the fastest. All the problems are at the level of an undergraduate calculus courses. It is open to all undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in or have completed a calculus course.
Who: Undergraduate students who have completed Calculus 1
What: Two students will be called out and one problem will be given to the students. The students have to complete the given problem within the time limits. The student who completed the problem by providing all the steps in the first place will be qualified for the next round. Problems will start easier and progress to harder problems for each round.
When: Saturday March 25, 2023 (Time: TBA)
Where: Students will be asked to show their work on whiteboard.
Why: To show off your calculus skills and have fun with students from other colleges.
For more info, please contact Dr. Md Sazib Hasan (mdsazib.hasan@utahtech.edu) or Dr. Buna Sambandham (buna.sambandham@utahtech.edu)
Register for the Calculus Bee (Link)
Keynote Abstracts
Leonard Carapezza (Southern Utah University)
Title: Rational Approximations, Continued Fractions and the Fibonacci Sequence
Abstract: Suppose you're a plant that wants to grow leaves to absorb sunlight and you have to worry about the leaves overlapping and blocking the light to other leaves. Being a plant, the instructions to grow leaves has to be simple: every leaf grows a fixed angle from the previous around a central stalk. Rational angles always result in perfect overlap of leaves. Irrational angles will never result in perfect overlap, but if the angle is close to rational then this results in close to perfect overlap. What you want is an angle that is in some sense the "most irrational" of all angles. Thinking about this problem naively naturally leads to the consideration of continued fractions which allow us to make meaningful the notion of when one irrational number is "more irrational" than another. Taking this to its limit produces the golden ratio and its attendant Fibonacci sequence, which perhaps explains why these numbers appear in the growths of pine cones and sunflowers etc.
Talea Mayo (Emory University, Georgia)
Title: Data meets model: how observations are used to improve prediction and simulation of hurricane storm surge
Abstract: Coastal ocean models are used for a variety of applications, including simulation of tides and hurricane storm surges. These models numerically solve the shallow water equations, which assume large horizontal length scales relative to the vertical length scales, and allow depth integration of the Navier-Stokes equations. The inherent uncertainties in coastal ocean models are a result of many factors, including this modeling assumption, numerical discretization of the resulting equations, and uncertain model inputs and parameters. In this talk, I will discuss how we have used statistical data assimilation methods for state and parameter estimation to quantify and reduce model uncertainties.
Adriana Salerno (Bates College, Maine)
Title: The stories we tell
Abstract: Stories are how we make sense of our world and ourselves. In a mathematics classroom, whether we notice it or not, we tell stories -- about what mathematics is and who it’s for. Additionally, each person in that classroom (teachers and students) brings in their own stories and experiences with mathematics. In this talk, I will share how acknowledging and making room for different stories has shaped my classroom and my own growth as an educator. And of course, there will be stories.
February Speaker Series: Dr. Skyler Simmons (Utah Valley University)
3D Printing and Mathematics Teaching
Abstract: The recent (2009) expiration of the fused deposition modeling (FDM) patent has led to a great expansion in the availability of 3D printing technology. Today, 3D printers can be found in libraries, universities, and homes. In my presentation, I will give a brief history and overview of the FDM process, outline the process of designing and creating an object using a 3D printer, and give a few ideas as to how 3D printed models could enhance mathematics teaching and learning.
This presentation will be both practical and historical and should be of interest to a wide audience.
Bio: Skyler Simmons is an assistant professor at Utah Valley University. His research focuses on periodic orbits featuring collisions in the Newtonian n-body problem. Outside of mathematics, he also enjoys playing the piano, computer programming, and (unsurprisingly) 3D printing.
December Speaker Series: Dr. Troy Goodsell (Brigham Young University - Idaho)
Why 𝜋/5 should be included among the special angles
Abstract:
Since the earliest development of trigonometry in the days of Ptolemy and continuing up to our day special angles have been used while learning and applying the subject. These angles include 90, 60, 45 and 30 degrees or in radian measure 𝜋/2, 𝜋/3, 𝜋/4, and 𝜋/6. There are many good pedagogical and practical reasons to study the trigonometric function values of these angles. But an astute student may note that 𝜋/5 seems to be missing its rightful place in this list. Historically the special angle 𝜋/5 played an important role in applications and has beautiful and surprising geometrical implications including the golden ratio. We will look at these applications and connections in a bid to restore 𝜋/5 to its historic position as a special angle.
This presentation will be both practical and historical and should be of interest to a wide audience.
Bio:
Dr. Troy Goodsell is a professor of Mathematics at Brigham Young University-Idaho where he has taught since 2001. Previously he held positions at McMurry University in Abilene Texas, Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg Kansas, and Brigham Young University in Provo Utah. He received his PhD. from Brigham Young University and did his undergraduate work at the University of Utah. The history of mathematics is his main area of interest, and he has given a number of talks on the subject at both MAA section meetings and at the national meetings. He is deeply interested in both the teaching of a wide variety of mathematics courses and in helping the students learn the history of the subject so as to understand the culture and society and individuals that brought the science of mathematics to us. When not doing mathematics, he enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren and enjoys camping and many other outdoor activities.
November Speaker Series - Dr. Rachel Backman (Weber State University)
MOVING FROM MEMORY TO MINDFULNESS IN MATHEMATICS TEACHING AND LEaRNING
Abstract: Learn how the brain processes new information, how this processing is affected by stress, and how a focus on memory tasks can trigger stress for many students. Explore several strategies for shifting student focus from memory recall to mindful problem solving. Theories and strategies shared will connect to Dr. Bachman's most recent collaborations with a licensed clinical social worker trained in trauma therapy. The presentation will also integrate research into student images of doing mathematics using the Draw Yourself Doing Mathematics drawing prompt.
This talk is appropriate for faculty, undergraduate students, and a more general audience.
Dr. Rachel Bachman is an associate professor of mathematics education at Weber State University where she teaches mathematics courses for developing elementary and secondary teachers. Her work at WSU focuses on developing effective strategies for teaching and learning mathematics, and her research interests include creating learning sequences beginning from activities and hands-on materials, helping struggling students succeed in mathematics, understanding student views about mathematics, and the use of physical movement to learn mathematics.
September Speaker Series - Dr. Bianca Thompson (Westminster College)
Rational Maps and Towers of Finite Fields
We can create sequences from rational maps by iterating a map via composition. As we vary the starting value, this may vary the behavior of the sequence. The sequence could loop back to the starting point, or have a long tail then have a repeating set of numbers, or it can continue unbounded. If we restrict our set of numbers to only live in finite fields, then all points either live on a cycle or live on a tail. So, the question we want to explore is how many points are there that live on a cycle? Does this number vary widely as we travel up a tower of finite fields? In general, this is a difficult question to answer since a random rational function behaves chaotically, but for certain special families we can explore and answer these questions.
This talk is appropriate for faculty, undergraduate students, and a more general audience.
Dr. Bianca Thompson is an assistant professor at Westminster College. She identifies as queer, Latina, and biracial and has traveled from one end of the country to the other for her education (Massachusetts to Hawai'i and back again). Her research falls in the intersection of discrete dynamical systems and number theory in the relatively young field of arithmetic dynamics. She wants to find more ways to create a classroom environment where students know they belong.
2022 Spring Section Meeting
The 2022 Spring meeting will be held Mar 25 - Mar 26 at Utah Valley University. For more information, visit the conference website.
March Speaker Series - Dr. Selvi Kara
TEACHING HISTORY OF MATHEMATICS FROM AN ETHNOMATHEMATICS PERSPECTIVE
February Speaker Series - Dr. Robert Snellman (BYU)
P-adic numbers in calculus … Is this possible?
January Speaker Series - Dr. Leonard Carapezza (SUU)
Rational Approximation, Continued Fractions, And The Fibonacci Sequence
Online event: https://maa.zoom.us/j/85728218330?pwd=NGNXSkkxSTJ0bjV3NmJycUtjR3cwdz09
Spring Section Meeting
The Intermountain Section of the MAA is delighted to announce the virtual Spring 2021 Annual Conference held on March 26 - 27.
The program includes contributed talks by faculty and students, a student competition (Integration Bee), teaching discussions (facilitated by Project NExT Fellows), as well as networking with peers. We invite submissions for contributed faculty talks in three areas: math education/teaching, pure math, and applied math. Moreover, students research talks are strongly encouraged and welcomed.
For more information, please visit https://byuimath.com/maa/conf/w21/.
