VSU hosts seventh annual Sonia Kovalevsky Day

The seventh annual Sonia Kovalevsky Day will be held at Valdosta State University on Thursday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Powell Hall Auditorium.

S. K. Day is a project that seeks to encourage high school women to pursue the study of mathematics and prepare for possible careers in mathematics related fields. The event is named in honor of Sonia Kovalevsky, a Russian mathematician and the first women to earn a doctorate in mathematics.

?We are finding that girls love studying mathematics at high school level, but for some reason do not choose to continues their studies at the post-secondary level,? said Dr. Kathy Simons, assistant professor of mathematics. ?We want to educate them about some of the career choices that are available to them if they do study mathematics. We also want the girls to experience a day of fun, devoted exclusively to mathematics.?

VSU faculty will teach workshops on tessellations, problem solving and population sampling. Susan Kennedy, environmental specialist with Florida Power and Light, will talk to the participants on how she uses mathematics in her job.

?It is our hope that listening to her [Kennedy] speak about her career will start the students thinking about the numerous opportunities available in the field of mathematics.?

Approximately 80 high school students and teachers are expected to attend from the following high schools: Brantley County, Coffee County, Cook County, Irwin County, Lanier County, Lee County, Lowndes County, Pierce County, Thomas County Central, Thomasville High, Turner County, Valdosta High and Ware Magnet.

For more information, contact Dr. Kathy Simons at 229-259-2017.