Sonia Math Day for Girls

If you are a girl with an interest in mathematics, this event is for you!

Each year, Rose-Hulman professors and math and biomath majors invite high school students to campus to participate in engaging and interactive sessions that focus on applications of mathematics. This event, which is open to all students who are currently in a high school level mathematics class, pays tribute to Sonia Kovalevsky – a pioneer for female mathematicians.

Sonia Kovalevsky Days have been held at colleges and universities throughout the world for over 20 years to encourage young women and others whose gender has typically been underrepresented in STEM to continue their study of mathematics.

This free event is sponsored by the Department of Mathematics and the Rose-Hulman Student Chapter of the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM).

Please check back for information about our next event coming up in Spring 2025

2024 Schedule

Sonia Kovalevsky Math Day for Girls: The Art of Mathematics

Saturday, March 16, 2024

8:45-9:00	Check-in
9:00-9:20	Welcome and Introduction	AWM Student Volunteers
9:20-10:20	Mathematics of Origami	Dr. Manda Riehl (Math)
10:30-11:30	Interior Flowers	Dr. Al Holder (Math) and students
11:30-12:15	Discussion of Women in STEM	AWM Students & Rose Faculty
12:15-12:45	Lunch
12:45-1:15	Campus Tour & Group Photo	AWM Student Volunteers
1:15-2:15	Holding it Together With String: The Mathematics of Weaving	Dr. Josh Holden (Math)
2:15-3:00	Cobwebbing	Dr. Jeremy Harris (Math)
3:00-3:15	Closing Remarks

Activity Descriptions:

Mathematics of Origami (Dr. Manda Riehl): Origami began as a Japanese art of paper folding, but more recently has had surprising applications in engineering, thanks to people thinking about this art form mathematically. We will learn about the art AND the math, and fold our own miniature solar sail.

Interior Flowers (Dr. Al Holder and Rose-Hulman Students): Create a flower in a regular

n-polygon with analytic central paths, and then print your flower for a keepsake. This project combines mathematics with engineering and computation to create unique and aesthetic mementos.

Holding it Together With String: The Mathematics of Weaving (Dr. Josh Holden)

Cobwebbing (Dr. Jeremy Harris): Use the geometry of a graph to create beautiful and interesting patterns by iterating a certain procedure.

Plus more activities and discussions about women in mathematics with Rose-Hulman students and faculty!

Want to learn more? Contact Dr.Tracy Weyand, Associate Professor of Mathematics.

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