K-State offers interactive math workshops for middle school students at Sonia Kovalevsky Day

By Virginia Naibo
College of Arts and Sciences

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

 

MANHATTAN — Middle school students are invited to Kansas State University's Manhattan campus for a special day of workshops with math faculty members and graduate and undergraduate students in celebration of Sonia Kovalevsky Day.

Participants will engage in hands-on activities through a series of workshops on math topics, including learning geometry through origami in the "Create any shape with a single slice" workshop and exploring applications of frieze patterns in dance and art in "Frieze patterns: symmetry in motion."

K-State's mathematics department and its Graduate Student Chapter of the Association for Women in Mathematics will host Sonia Kovalevsky Day from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 26, in Cardwell Hall.

The free event is open to all area students in grades 6-8, and lunch is included.

Kovalevsky was a 19th-century mathematician, advocate for women's rights and pioneer for female mathematicians around the world. To honor her memory, the event aims to increase girls' interest in mathematics, assist them in the transition to high school math and encourage their pursuit of STEM disciplines. The event is open to all middle schoolers.

Space is limited. Learn more and register by April 16, and email skday@k-state.edu with any questions about the event.

Sonia Kovalevsky Day is supported by an Integrating Engagement Across All We Do grant with funding from the Office of Engagement, the Chapman Center for Rural Studies and the Friends of Mathematics.

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