Greetings AIMS Family!!!! I hope each of you is enjoying this beautiful weather! I certainly am having a blast in the glorious sunshine!!!! For the next several months the AIMS staff will be working in overdrive not only preparing for your arrival on campus, recruiting at your schools, hosting workshops, attending professional meetings….but also grant writing! We will need a long nap when this is over! I hope each of you have a wonderful Easter break! Enjoy and cherish the time you spend with your loved ones! Time is not promised

to anyone! I look forward to seeing you at the Orientation and then again (for some of you) at the Concert this month in Paducah!

Until we meet again!

Love,

Dr. Doris Clark Sarr

DIRECTOR’S CHAIR

A Word from the Administrative Assistant

Hi Everyone!

Spring has sprung and the flowers are blooming. So as life goes students you can bloom and shine in your life. Take the time to learn new things meet new people and always be willing to share your adventures with others.

The time is passing by quickly for the Summer Program it seems only a few days ago we were preparing for 2011 Summer but now here it is the Summer of 2012.

I just want to say to the AIMS students, study hard and dream because studying can get you to your dreams

faster than you realize.

I'm looking forward to see-ing all of you this summer, but take this time to make sure you have all your pa-perwork in and everything has been signed. Have A Great Easter! Gail Woolridge

Adventures in Math & Science

APRIL 2012

VOLUME 12, ISSUE 4

AIMS TIMES

Special points of interest:

• Career Profile: Mathematics

pg. 3

• Financial Literacy Day on

Capital Hill pg. 5

• Parents’ Corner—Research

Review pg. 6

• Boyz II Men Live pg. 7

Inside this issue:

Directtor’s Chair 1

Administrative Assistant

Letter

1

Coordinators’ Corners 2

Career Profile:

Mathematics

3

April Birthdays 4

Financial Literacy Day on

Capital Hill

5

Parents’ Corner 6

Boyz II Men 7

Schedule At-A-Glance 8

The smell of freshly cut grass, the leaves blowing in the wind on the trees, flow-ers blooming in the yard, birds chirping loudly, insects flying at night; these are all signs of the change of the season. I love and embrace these signs because for me it means the AIMS Summer Component will be up and in full swing in just weeks! It excites me to know that there will be so many new faces amongst the faces of the returning students that I have grown to love and admire!

For you students, this should be a sign that the school year is drawing to a close. Stay motivated and do eve-rything in your power to be the best that you can be. Take advantage of the many learning outlets of-fered to you by AIMS as well as your school. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and assistance.

Seniors, this is the time for you to shine! Don’t look back, only move forward. Make sure you have com-pleted all the necessary paperwork for AIMS as well as for your future school. Hopefully, you will soon be receiving scholarship awards as well as Financial Aid noti-fications. We have given you all the tools for success, but you have to reach out and grab hold of the re-wards. At this stage your change progresses you from child to adult.

I continued to be amazed by your many successes throughout this academic year. Several of you have done extremely well on the ACT and as I mentioned earlier this year, academi-cally, this is the best I’ve seen most of you since your start in the program. It makes me extremely happy to know that AIMS has even just a small influence on your academic achievement.

Coming from a background just like yours, I can only say that the more you achieve, the greater your reward, and the easier it will be for you to succeed in your goals of higher education.

In less than 3 weeks we will see you at Parent/Student Orientation. Once again we’ve hired an amazing staff and I am certain you will grow to love them as they will you. Get ready for some hard work, but also fun adventures because you know our moto, “Hard work equals hard play!” Good luck on the remainder of the academic year and I look forward to seeing you all soon!

Sincerely,

Stephen D. Keene,

check the Newsletter for important dates. Saturday, April 21st is Student Orientation! It is VERY important that you come. There are MANY things taking place on that day so don’t miss it! Don’t forget to send us any recent accomplishments so that we can highlight you in the Newsletter and on Facebook! Speaking of Facebook, the new page is coming soon. Facebook changed its format (AGAIN) so I am making

Greetings! Most of you are probably on Spring Break right now so enjoy your break and please be safe! Summer Component 2012 is shaping up to be yet another awesome experience for you all! We are very excited about the course offerings, personal development activities, cultural activities, and activities just for fun. I hope you’re ready! Obviously, as always,

a few little changes. As always, if you have any questions or need anything, give us a shout! See you in a few weeks! Sincerely,

XätÇ bËax|Ä

COORDINATOR’S CORNER—AIMS I

COORDINATOR’S CORNER—AIMS II

“A creative man is

motivated by the

desire to achieve,

not by the desire

to beat others.”

Ayn Rand

Page 2 AIMS TIMES

VOLUME 12, ISSUE 4 Page 3

Mathematics is one of the oldest and most fundamental sciences. Mathematicians use mathematical theory, computational techniques, algorithms, and the latest computer technology to solve economic, scientific, engineering, physics, and business problems. The work of mathematicians falls into two broad classes -- theoretical (pure) mathematics and applied mathematics. These classes, however, are not sharply defined and often overlap.

Theoretical mathematicians advance mathematical knowledge by developing new principles and recognizing previously unknown relationships between existing principles of mathematics. Although these workers seek to increase basic knowledge without necessarily considering its practical use, such pure and abstract knowledge has been instrumental in producing or furthering many scientific and engineering achievements. Many theoretical mathematicians are employed as university faculty, dividing their time between teaching and conducting research.

Applied mathematicians use theories and techniques, such as

mathematical modeling and computational methods, to formulate and solve practical problems in business, government, engineering, and the physical, life, and social sciences. For example, they may analyze the most efficient way to schedule airline routes between cities, the effects and safety of new drugs, the aerodynamic characteristics of an experimental automobile, or the cost-effectiveness of alternative manufacturing processes.

Applied mathematicians working in industrial research and development may develop or enhance mathematical methods when solving a difficult problem. Some mathematicians, called cryptanalysts, analyze and decipher encryption systems—codes—designed to transmit military, political, financial, or law-enforcement-related information.

Applied mathematicians start with a practical problem, envision its separate elements, and then reduce the elements to mathematical variables. They often use computers to analyze relationships among the variables, and they solve complex problems by developing models with

alternative solutions.

Individuals with titles other than mathematician also do work in applied mathematics. In fact, because mathematics is the foundation on which so many other academic disciplines are built, the number of workers using mathematical techniques is much greater than the number formally called mathematicians. For example, engineers, computer scientists, physicists, and economists are among those who use mathematics extensively. Some professionals, including statisticians, actuaries, and operations research analysts, are actually specialists in a particular branch of mathematics. Applied mathematicians frequently are required to collaborate with other workers in their organizations to find common solutions to problems.

The world is full of places to do rigorous mathematics. As you begin to identify potential outlets for your talent, it may be useful to get a sense of the dimensions of the 'field' in its entirety. Business, industry, and government use mathematical expertise, often in the context of applications.

Career Profile: Mathematics

“A good head

and a good heart

are always a

formidable

combination.”

Nelson Mandela

However, the job titles often do not include the word "mathematics" or "mathematician," but do involve significant use of mathematics and/or quantitative reasoning. For people with advanced degrees in mathematics, careers involve development of new mathematical methods and theories and application to almost every area of science, engineering, industry and business. Those who major in mathematics in undergraduate institutions find a broad variety of opportunities. Some use their mathematical training directly and some use their training in rigorous thinking and analysis indirectly to solve problems in the business sector.

Many of the contributions and uses of mathematics are closely related to the need for mathematical modeling and simulation of physical

phenomena on the computer. In addition, the analysis and control of processes, and optimization and scheduling of resources use significant mathematics. For example, the finance industry uses sophisticated mathematical models for pricing of securities, while the petroleum industry models the flow of oil in underground rock formations to help in oil recovery. Image processing, whether producing clear pictures from satellite imagery or making medical images (CAT, MRI) to detect and diagnose, all use significant mathematics. Industrial design, whether structural components for airplanes or automobile parts, uses a tremendous amount of mathematical modeling; much of which is embodied in CAD/CAM computer

software. Such techniques were used in the design of the Boeing 777, as well as in the design of automobiles. Computational modeling is also used in airplane and automobile design to analyze the flow of air over vehicles to determine fuel economy and efficiency.

The use of mathematics is pervasive in modern industry. The result is that mathematicians are found in almost every sector of the job market, including engineering research, telecommunications, computer services and software, energy systems, computer manufacturers, aerospace and automotive, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, and government laboratories, among others.

IDALIS ALLEN

SHONTORIA PATTERSON

STEPHEN HOUSTON

MEGAN WARREN

AUSTIN WISNIEWSKI

Career Profile: Mathematics (continued)

APRIL BIRTHDAYS!

“Develop a

passion for

learning. If you

do, you will never

cease to grow.” Anthony J. D'Angelo

Page 4 AIMS TIMES

VOLUME 12, ISSUE 4 Page 5

• Tuesday, April 17,

2012 - 12:00 – 3:30 p.m.

• Hart Senate Office

Building, Room #902 Presented by the Council for Eco-nomic Education , JA Worldwide and the Jump$tart Coalition.

• In conjunction with: U.S. Senators Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) and Michael Enzi (R-WY) • Invited special guests include: U.S. Represen-tatives Judy Biggert (R-IL) and Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX) . • Sponsors: To Be An-nounced soon! • More than 60 finan-cial literacy exhibitors. • Free Buffet lunch. Open to the public. No registration required to

attend.

Financial Literacy Day on Capitol Hill...

Was introduced in 2003 by the Council for Economic Edu-cation, Junior Achievement, and the Jump$tart Coalition, with the office of U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka serving as the original honorary host. Over the years, “Hill Day” as it’s come to be known, has evolved from a small gathering to a public event that attracts hundreds of participants. The location of the event alternates, each year, between an office loca-tion on the House of Repre-sentatives side and the Senate side of “the Hill.”

U.S. Representatives Judy Biggert (R-IL-13) and Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX-15) have served as honorary co-hosts on the House side; U.S. Sena-tors Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) and Michael Enzi (R-WY) have served as honorary co-hosts on the Senate side. The event features a free buffet lunch and the financial liter-acy exhibits from more than

60 non-profit, for-profit, and government entities.

Laura Levine, president and CEO of the Jump$tart Coali-tion, has served as the event emcee each year since 2004, representing the many coali-tion partners that partici-pate. She has said that Hill Day depicts the best of what Jump$tart is as a coalition—a demonstration of the collective strength of our combined ef-forts, as well as the unique, individual contribution that each organization makes.

Miss last year's Financial Liter-acy Day on Capitol Hill? Now, you can watch a short video of some of the day’s proceed-

ings! Just click here to view the four-minute clip of FLDCH 2011. (You will be leaving Jump$tart's website.)

Financial Literacy Day on Capital Hill 2012

“Education, n.: That

which discloses to

the wise and

disguises from the

foolish their lack of

understanding.”

Ambrose Bierce

A New Wave of Evi-dence: The Impact of School, Family and Community Connections on Stu-dent Achievement

According to this review of recent research published by the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (2002), students with involved parents, no matter what their income or background, are more likely to:

• Earn higher grades

and test scores, and

enroll in higher-level

programs

• Be promoted, pass

their classes and

earn credits

• Attend school regu-

larly

• Have better social

skills, show im-

proved behavior and

adapt well to school

• Graduate and go on to post-secondary education

Furthermore, studies show that families of all income and education levels, and from all ethnic and cultural groups, are engaged in supporting their children's learning at home. White, middle-class families, however, tend to be more involved at school, and to be better informed about how to help their children. Supporting more involvement at school from all families may be an important strategy for ad-dressing the achievement gap.

Programs and spe-cial efforts to en-gage families make a difference

For example, teacher out-reach to parents results in strong, consistent gains in stu-dent performance in both reading and math. Effective

outreach practices include: meeting face to face, sending learning materials home, and keeping in touch about pro-gress (Westat and Policy Studies Associates, 2001). Workshops for parents on helping their children at home are linked to higher reading and math scores (Shaver and Walls, 1998). Schools with highly rated partnership pro-grams make greater gains on state tests than schools with lower-rated programs (Epstein and Sanders, 2000).

Higher performing schools effectively involve families and community

Schools that succeed in en-gaging families from diverse backgrounds share three key practices:

• Focus on building

trusting, collabora-

tive relationships

among teachers,

families and commu-

nity members

• Recognize, respect

and address families'

needs, as well as

class and cultural

differences

• Embrace a philoso-phy of partnership where power and responsibility are shared

Parent and commu-nity organizing ef-forts are improving schools

This type of engagement, which is based outside schools and led by parents and com-munity members, is growing nationwide. Aimed mainly at low-performing schools, strategies of community orga-nizing are openly focused on building low-income families' power and political skills. Unlike traditional parent in-

volvement, parent and com-munity organizing intends to hold schools accountable for results.

Recent studies have found that community organizing contrib-uted to these changes in schools:

• upgraded school fa-

cilities

• improved school

leadership and staff-

ing

• higher quality learn-

ing programs for

students

• new resources and

programs to improve

teaching and curricu-

lum

• new funding for after-school programs and family supports

In Short

When parents talk to their children about school, expect them to do well, help them plan for college, and make sure that out-of-school activi-ties are constructive, their children do better in school. When schools engage families in ways that are linked to improving learning, and sup-port parent involvement at home and school, students make greater gains. When schools build partnerships with families that respond to their concerns, honor their contribu-tions, and share power, they are able to sustain connections that are aimed at improving student achievement. And when families and communities organize to hold poorly per-forming schools accountable, school districts make positive changes in policy, practice, and resources.

From: National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Educa-tion

PARENTS’ CORNER—Research Review

“Character is higher

than intellect. A

great soul will be

strong to live as

well as think.” Ralph Waldo

Emerson

Page 6 AIMS TIMES

VOLUME 12, ISSUE 4 Page 7

Hailed by the RIAA as the most commercially successful R&B group of all time, Boyz II Men has returned to center stage with their first major-label release in five years, the stunning new album,Motown: A Journey. Boyz II Men was nominated for two Grammy nominations in 2009 for this latest release: Best R&B Album and Best R&B Perform-ance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for Ribbon in the Sky. Their first and now, classic albumCooleyhighharmony, spun off three major hit singles, “Motownphilly,” “It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yester-day,” and “Uhh Ahh,” all of which made the Top Five and hung on the Billboard Top 200 for an astounding 133 weeks. It sold over nine million copies in the US alone and earned Boyz II Men their first Grammy Award, for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. In 1992, Boyz II Men released the single, “End of the Road,” which became Boyz II Men’s all-time biggest hit. It held the Number One spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for thirteen weeks. Boyz II Men’s second album, simply titledII, appeared in 1994 and topped the Billboard chart for five weeks. The group won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album, and sold over twelve million copies thanks to its two Number One Pop singles, “I'll Make Love to You” (also a long-running R&B Number One) and “On Bended Knee,” both certified platinum.

This will be a special treat for those of you have good grades and attendance at AIMS workshops, events, etc.

BOYZ II MEN

“After silence, that

which comes

nearest to

expressing the

inexpressible is

music.”

Aldous Huxley

SUN, 04/29/2012 - 7:00PM

April 11th—12th KAEOPP Spring Meeting

Dale Hollow State Park

13th—15th SAEOPP Academic Bowl in

Atlanta, GA

21st AIMS Summer Orientation

9:00am – 12:00pm

251 Blackburn Science Building

29th AIMS Cultural Event

Boyz II Men—Luther F. Carson Center

5:00 Dinner—TBA

May 28th 2:00pm – 4:00pm

Bridge 2012 Move-In Day

28th—31st AIMS Staff Retreat

Eminence, MO

29th Summer Classes Begin

June 1st – 3rd Bridge Weekend

10th Undergraduate Move-In Day

27th Bridge Graduation

28th Cultural Extravaganza

29th Closing Symposium

TBA End of Summer Trip

Back Page Story Headline

WE’RE ON THE WEB!

WWW.MURRAYSTATE.EDU/

AIMS

240 Blackburn Science Building

Murray, KY 42071

Phone: 1-877-424-6777

Fax: 270-809-4351

E-mail: www.murraystate.edu/aims

Adventures in Math & Science

AIMS STAFF

Dr. Doris Sarr, Dr. Doris Sarr, Director AIMS I & IIDirector AIMS I & II——dclarksarr@murraystate.edudclarksarr@murraystate.edu

Stephen D. Keene, Coordinator—AIMS I—skeene@murraystate.edu

Evan O’Neal, Evan O’Neal, CoordinatorCoordinator—— AIMS IIAIMS II ——eoneal@murraystate.edueoneal@murraystate.edu

Gail Woolridge, Administrative Assistant—gwoolridge@murraystate.edu