Texas A&M Mathematics And Statistics Fair Set For Feb. 22

Texas A&M University will recognize the importance of mathematics and statistics with the 17th annual Texas A&M Mathematics and Statistics Fair set for Saturday, Feb. 22 at 9 a.m. in the John R. Blocker Building.

The event will feature the inclusion of statistics in keeping with April’s more broadly focused Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month, said Texas A&M mathematician and event coordinator Tamara Carter. Co-hosted by the Texas A&M Department of Mathematics and the Texas A&M Department of Statistics, the Math and Stat Fair is the annual highlight of an expanded series of spring outreach events designed to increase public understanding and appreciation of both disciplines.

Free and open to all ages, the fair will feature mentored problem-solving, games, mathematical arts and crafts, card tricks and lectures. All activities will be held on the first and second floors of Blocker.

“Mathematics and statistics are extremely valuable in many careers and various aspects of everyday life, but they are also fun,” Carter said. “We are very excited to share that fun with guests of all ages.”

In keeping with the Julia Robinson Mathematics Festival Organization format adopted for the 2016 fair, Carter 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 the chance of receiving a prize, with the overall goal being that participants are simultaneously thinking about the problem and hoping to improve their odds.

An 11 a.m. public lecture will be followed by a prize raffle and remarks at noon. The event will conclude with advanced lectures from 1 to 3 p.m.

Free parking is available in Lots 50 and 51 on the northeast side of the Texas A&M campus, while paid visitor parking also can be found in the Northside Garage adjacent to the Blocker Building.

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).

Registration information and more details about the event can be found online.