Outreach Activities to Increase Interest in Mathematics among K-12 Students

We propose to carry out a collection of outreach activities to encourage pre-college students to invest in the study of mathematics and to pursue majors and careers in Mathematics, Engineering, Technology and Science (METS) disciplines. While the acronym STEM is typically used for these areas of study, mathematics plays a central role in all of these fields and is part of every student's course of study. If students develop their ability in mathematics, they will arrive at the University ready to choose from any of the METS disciplines. The proposed activities will include the High School Mathematics Day for Women and the Central Kentucky Mathematics Circles. The High School Mathematics Day for Women is a one-day program for female high school students and their teachers. The event is held on the campus of the University of Kentucky. The second component of this proposal is the two mathematics circles currently run by the University of Kentucky. The first math circle is the Elementary Math Circle, organized in partnership with Tates Creek Elementary School, and it is for fourth graders. The second mathematics circle is the High School Math Circle. This circle is for students in grades 8 to 12 and recruits from Lexington and surrounding counties. The High School Math Circle meets at the University of Kentucky twice per month. Graduate students in mathematics and undergraduate students in mathematics and mathematics education assist with both the High School Mathematics Day and the Central Kentucky Mathematics Circles.