Area schools to participate in KU's Math Awareness Month

LAWRENCE – More than 200 elementary, junior high and high school students from area schools will visit the University of Kansas campus in April to participate in Mathematics Awareness Month activities.

Each year, the Department of Mathematics at KU organizes competitions and workshops for the students in conjunction with the national Mathematics Awareness Month. This year’s national theme is Mathematics and Sustainability.

Humanity continually faces the challenge of how to balance human needs against the world's resources while operating within the constraints imposed by the laws of nature. Mathematics helps us better understand these complex issues and is used by mathematicians and practitioners in a wide range of fields to seek creative solutions for a sustainable way of life.

The math competition will take place Saturday, April 6, in 406 Snow Hall. Prizes will be awarded to the top students in each category. The competition has three levels: third through fifth grades, middle school and high school. All students are encouraged to participate.

An April 10 workshop for fifth-graders from Schwegler Elementary, Lawrence, and an April 16 workshop for fifth-graders from Auburn Washburn, Topeka, will demonstrate how math is used in everyday life.

Along with activities and contests for students, the math department also schedules a number of guest speakers throughout the month for the KU community. These talks are for the general public.

The public is invited to participate in any of the activities. For more information on all of the Math Awareness 2013 events at KU, contact Kerrie Brecheisen, administrative associate, Department of Mathematics, at (785) 864-3651 or by email.