By Jeanette Shakalli @fundapromat

The 2024 Mathematical Association of America (MAA) MathFest is being held August 7-10 in Indianapolis, IN and the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) will be in attendance.  Keeping with tradition, the two organizations will present the Etta Zuber Falconer Lecture, delivered by Deanna Needell, University of California, Los Angeles, with an accompanying Invited Paper Session, to honor women who have made distinguished contributions to the mathematical sciences or mathematics education. The Falconer Lecture will be held on Thursday, August 8th at 9:00 am.

In addition, the AWM will host two panels, deliver its Student Chapter Awards and hold a Games and Puzzles workshop. The first panel on “How to Hire a Math Educator: Considerations for Mathematics Departments” will be held Friday, August 9th from 2:00 pm until 3:20 pm, moderated by Vilma Mesa, University of Michigan. Panelists will discuss the challenges that mathematics educators face when working in mathematics departments that do not have mathematics education research as part of their portfolio.  Friday also brings the AWM’s recognition of outstanding achievements in activities among the AWM Student Chapters. Awards will be given in four categories: (1) community outreach; (2) fundraising and sustainability, (3) professional development, and (4) scientific excellence. These awards will be given out at the MAA Student Dessert Reception on Friday night at 8:00 pm.

On Saturday, August 10th from 10:30 am until 11:50 am, the AWM-MAA Committee will be organizing an exciting workshop on "Mathematical Games and Puzzles: Fun for All!"  Join Arthur Benjamin, Annalisa Crannell, Karl Schaffer, Janet Fierson, Sarah Kerrigan, Jeanette Shakalli, and others for some fun with mathematical games and puzzles! For many in the mathematics community, games or puzzles sparked our initial interest in mathematics. Such activities continue to serve as a source of enjoyment and entertainment. This highly-interactive workshop aims to bring faculty, students, and other members of the mathematics community of all ages together to experience new mathematical games and puzzles and to share their own favorites. Some will involve physical components, while others may be played with pencil and paper alone. If you wish, feel free to bring your favorite in any form! After learning of new mathematical games and puzzles, participants can return home to share them with others. Perhaps you will incorporate a game or puzzle into a course or research experience, develop an associated activity for a science festival, share the fun with math club members, or simply play with friends and family.

On Saturday, August 10th from 3:00 p.m. until 4:20 p.m., the AWM-MAA Committee will be organizing a special session on "Mental Health in the Mathematics Community: Continuing the Conversation". All members of the mathematics community are invited to join the panelists: Geillan Aly, Compassionate Math, F. Taína Amaro, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Allison Henrich, Seattle University, and Michael Dorff, Brigham Young University. Mental health remains a topic of widespread concern in the mathematics community. This panel continues the conversation on the subject that was initiated through a panel at last year’s MAA MathFest. This year, the session will include strategies for improving the mental health of individuals and groups. It will also allow for the sharing of progress that has been made locally and more globally in addressing some of the common issues that negatively impact the mental health of faculty, students, and others in the mathematics community. Attendees will benefit from the professional and personal experiences of the panelists, who collectively contribute diverse perspectives as faculty members, researchers in the emotional aspects of learning mathematics, and mental health professionals. We once again hope to encourage an open and empathetic dialogue to raise awareness, inspire positive change, and improve the well-being of our unique and vibrant community.

We look forward to a productive and engaging experience at MathFest this year! Visit the MAA MathFest website for registration details. Visit the AWM website for information regarding AWM membership and events.

Dr. Shakalli is the Executive Director of the Panamanian Foundation for the Promotion of Mathematics (FUNDAPROMAT) and currently serves on the AWM Meetings Committee.