Texas A&M University is joining institutions across the nation in recognizing the importance of mathematics and statistics next month with the 21st anniversary celebration of its annual Texas A&M Mathematics and Statistics Fair, set for Saturday, April 15, starting at 9 a.m. in the John R. Blocker Building.
For the seventh consecutive year, the free event will feature the inclusion of statistics in keeping with April’s more broadly focused Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month, says Texas A&M mathematician and event coordinator Mariya Vorobets. Free and open to all ages, Vorobets notes that the fair will feature mentored problem-solving, games, mathematical arts and crafts, puzzles, a prize raffle and other activities situated throughout the first floor of the Blocker Building.
Co-hosted since 2017 by the Texas A&M Department of Mathematics and the Texas A&M Department of Statistics, the Math and Stat Fair was founded in 2002 as the Math Mini Fair by husband-wife Texas A&M mathematicians Peter Kuchment and Mila Mogilevsky shortly after they both arrived in Aggieland in 2001. During the past two decades, it has emerged as the traditional highlight of an expanded series of spring outreach events designed to increase public understanding of and appreciation for both mathematics and statistics, from the many disciplines to the daily activities each impacts.
“Mathematics and statistics are extremely valuable in many careers and various aspects of everyday life, but they are also fun,” said Sarah J. Witherspoon, professor and head of Texas A&M Mathematics. “We are very excited to share that fun with guests of all ages in conjunction with Texas A&M’s Family Weekend.”
In keeping with the Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival Organization format adopted each year since the 2016 fair, Vorobets says all participants will receive a raffle ticket when they solve a problem, complete an art project or just make a significant step in a solution. The more tickets they accumulate, the better their chance of receiving a prize, with the overall goal being that they are simultaneously thinking about the problem and hoping to improve their odds.
At noon, Texas A&M mathematician Zhizhang Xie will deliver this year’s public lecture, followed by a prize raffle and remarks. The day’s activities will conclude with advanced lectures from 1 to 3 p.m.
Free parking is available in Lots 50 and 51 north of the Zachry Engineering Education Complex, while paid visitor parking also can be found in the Northside Garage adjacent to the Blocker Building and the Polo Rd. Garage adjacent to Lots 50 and 51.
Sponsored by the Joint Policy Board for Mathematics (JPBM), Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month began in 1986 when then-United States President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation establishing National Mathematics Awareness Week. Activities generally are organized on local, state and regional levels by college and university departments, institutional public information offices, student groups, and related associations and interest groups.
The JPBM is a collaborative effort of the American Mathematical Society (AMS), the American Statistical Association (ASA), the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM).
For registration information and other details about the Texas A&M Mathematics and Statistics Fair and Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month, visit https://www.math.tamu.edu/outreach/mam/.
To learn more about Texas A&M Mathematics, visit https://www.math.tamu.edu/.
For more information about Texas A&M Statistics, go to https://www.stat.tamu.edu/.