NC WOMEN AND MATHEMATICS NETWORK

DURHAM and WAKE COUNTY MATHEMATICS MENTORING PROGRAM:

The Women and Math Mentoring Program was created to inspire and encourage young women to continue their study of mathematics, and to learn about careers in which mathematics plays a key role.

The Program links small groups of two to three  8^th-grade girls with local female professionals pursuing mathematics-related careers.

Through monthly interactions during the spring semester of the school year, the girls learn about their mentor’s job, career and lifestyle.
 

OBJECTIVES

The Women and Math Mentoring Program’s objectives are to:

• Expand students’ awareness of mathematics- and science-related careers,

• Increase students’ self-confidence in mathematics,

• Develop students’ appreciation for mathematics,

• Encourage students to take challenging mathematics courses in high school and to participate in summer enrichment programs in science and mathematics,

• Develop students’ skills in communicating and collaborating, and

• Foster knowledge-sharing relationships between adult women and young women with common interests.

PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

Students and mentors may participate in the following activities:

• Program Kick-Off Night, where mentors meet students and their parents and learn about the upcoming program activities;

• A visit to the mentor’s workplace, followed by lunch or a snack;

• Math and Computer Science Career Awareness Day for Wake students and mentors (Sonia Kovalevsky Day) or for Durham students and mentors (Marjorie Lee Browne Day), which includes a keynote speech, workshops conducted by women employed in math-related careers in the Triangle, a mentor coffee hour, panel discussions by mentors on careers, lunch, and a math competition with prizes;

• Informal mentor-student discussions on future mathematics coursework, summer enrichment programs, and possible careers;

• Field trips to mathematics-related places of interest such as The Virtual Reality Lab at UNC-CH, the Primate Center in Durham, or the annual Engineering Fair;

• An optional mentor-guided group project involving mathematics, science, and/or computer science;

• A concluding event at Meredith or NCCU, M³: Mentoring Madness in May, for students, mentors, and parents.  Students share their mentoring experiences and projects with the whole group.  The finale is a big game and puzzle competition with prizes for the winning teams!

GENERAL TIMELINE 2007-2008 (See the Calendar for specific dates/times/places)

PROGRAM PLANNING

Program planning is done by the Women and Math Mentoring Coordinating Team, which is led by Director Leila Goodwin and made up of women in math-related professions who have been mentoring in the program for many years.  The Coordinating Team is responsible for:

• Maintaining the relationship with school administrators.  Under the supervision of the Durham and Wake County Schools Program Specialists, mathematics teachers and chairs will be asked to nominate six 8^th-grade girls from each middle school.  Students’ interest and enthusiasm for mathematics and science will be the basis for selection.

• Recruiting mentors and organizing Mentor Orientation.  Mentor Orientation will take place on a Saturday morning in November.  Mentors will be given training and materials.  Using the students’ application forms, they will choose two or three students from the same school.  Orientation will end with the formation of Mentor Groups, which link up new mentors with experienced mentors, providing a peer support system.

• Organizing Program Kick-Off Night, Sonia Kovalevsky Day, Marjorie Lee Browne Day, and M³:  Mentoring Madness in May

SIGN ME UP!

Any woman interested in being a MATH MENTOR for this school year is welcome to fill out the Mentor Application Form and contact the director or coordinators for wake and durham county. (See contacts page)