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