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A talk given at the annual Joint Mathematics Meeting in January, 2008, in San Diego, CA. The slide accompany a talk about a project at Truman State University to use field trips to regional metro areas to get students jazzed up about their major studies. The program includes students in science and computer science, as well.
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Field Trips Motivate Students to Pursue Mathematics
Jason Miller (Truman State University)Joint Math Meetings, January 2008
Jon BeckProfessor of Computer Science
Jason MillerAssociate Professor of Mathematics
“School isn’t supposed to be a polite form of incarceration, but a portal to the wider world.”
-Richard Louv
Background
QQa“What can I do with“What can I do with a math degree?” a math degree?”
Qualify for a broad range of Qualify for a broad range of careers in business, industry, careers in business, industry, government, and teaching.government, and teaching.
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www.ams.org American Mathematical Society
pollster
animatorstatistician
teacherforensic analyst
technical writer
actuary
urban designer
epidemiologistpublic utilities analyst
commodities trader
banker
air traffi c controller
appraiser
professor
stockbroker
computer programmer
research scientist
cryptoanalyst
estimator
claims adjuster
fi nancial aid director
production managerunderwriter
early career profi lesearly career profi les
market research analyst
benefi ts administrator
foreign exchange trader
climate analyst
population ecologist
quantitative analyst
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Geographically Isolated
The Program
Saddle-up
Sunday noon
Check-in
Sunday afternoon
Check-in
Sunday afternoon
Relaxing
Sunday afternoon
Dinner & Workshop
Sunday dinner
Dinner & Workshop
Sunday dinner
Return to Hotel
Sunday evening
Alumni Social @ Hotel
Sunday evening
Leaving the Hotel
Monday morning
Morning site
Monday morning
Morning site
Monday morning
Presentations
Monday morning
Tour & Mini-shadowing
Monday afternoon
Lunch @ Host
Monday lunch
Afternoon Site
Monday afternoon
Presentations
Monday afternoon
Tour & Mini-shadowing
Monday afternoon
Presentations
Monday afternoon
Heading Home
Monday afternoon
Leaving Town
Monday afternoon
Debriefing @ Dinner
Monday dinner
Heading Home
Monday night
Students benefit:awareness of ‘real’ early-career opportunitiespractice ‘professional interactions’ and networking
Hosts benefit:Brings cream-of-the-crop to potential employersOpens lines of communication with department(s)
Program benefits:post-trip ‘buzz’ spreads to other studentscreates good-will with students
Challenges:Assessment of program impact
Jumpstart Program for Women in Computer Science
2001-2004
Support from Undergraduate Scholars in Mathematics and
Computer Science NSF CSEMS #0123094
Mathematical Biology Initiative NSF UBM #0337769
Research-focused Learning Communities in Mathematical
BiologyNSF UBM #0436348
Integrating STEM Learning Communities
NSF STEP #0431664
This work was developed with support from the following sources:
Past Field Trip Hosts:
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
WolframResearch
FBI,St. Louis Field Office
