Women have been Contributing to mathematical sciences for so long, and therefore the Association for Women in Mathematics (AWM) and Math for America has announced to co-sponsor an essay contest for biographies of contemporary women mathematicians and statisticians in academic, industrial, and government careers in order to increase awareness of women’s ongoing contributions for mathematical sciences industry. The topic of the essay is going to be based on an interview with a woman that has made a career in mathematical sciences or has retired from the industry.
As a part of this program, candidates will have to write down a biographical essay of approximately 500 – 1000 words in length, based primarily on an interview that they will have to conduct with a woman currently working in or retired from a mathematical career. They are also required to submit a short (approximately 100 words) biographical sketch of the student contestant. This biographical sketch can be written in the first person, and it should include the student’s name, grade level, school, and mathematical interests;
The AWM is a non-profit organization founded in 1971 and has more than 3500 members representing a broad spectrum of the mathematical community from the United States and around the World. Since it has started from a small group of women mathematicians has grown into a leading society for women mathematical sciences. The mission is to promote equal opportunity and the equal treatment of women and girls in the mathematical sciences, supporting individuals and institutions as well as working to make a more just and equitable community.
Brief Description
Check out the table to get quick information:
| Organization | AWM and Math for America |
| Education Level | Middle school, High school, undergraduates |
| Subjects | All |
| Amount | Varies |
| Access Mode | Online |
| Number of Awards | Varies |
| City | Any |
| Nationality | Domestic and international |
| Country | USA |
| Contest Deadline | February 1, 2022 |
| Application Fees | Not required |
| Requirements | Varies |
Who is Eligible?
Students that fall under the below categories may apply:
- Grades 6-9
- Grades 9-12
- Undergraduate
How to Apply?
Valid submission contents:
- A biographical essay of approximately 500 – 1000 words in length, based primarily on an interview you conduct with a woman currently working in or retired from a mathematical career;
- A short (approximately 100 words) biographical sketch of the student contestant. This biographical sketch can be written in the first person, and it should include the student’s name, grade level, school, and mathematical interests;
- Information about the student:
- student’s name;
- address of student (or parent);
- phone number or email address of student (or parent);
- Information about the subject of the biography:
- name;
- address;
- phone number and/or email address
The fascinated members who wish to take part in this contest should read the above information carefully and kindly fill the Online Submission Form.
As soon as you complete the application form, the next step will be to create an account login. Once you create your account, you’ll be asked a few questions and you have to answer them wisely, then lastly you have to submit the requested documents and complete the submission process.
For any query or difficulty in submitting your essay, please contact our AWM Essay Contest Organizer, Dr. Johanna Franklin through the following mail:
Email: johanna.n.franklin@hofstra.edu
Contest Rules:
- At least one winning submission will be chosen from each category
- Your essay should be based primarily on the interview you conduct with a women currently working in or retired from a mathematical career
- The submission must be in essay form, not just a transcript of interview
- The essay should be approximately 500 to 1000 words in length
- Essays will be judges by a panel of mathematicians on content, grammer, and presentation.
- A few women are not eligible as essay subjects these individuals are, the women that have won a grand prize, first place, or honourable mentions in past 4 years, president or past president , executive director of AWM and current AWM Essay Contest Committee members.
You can check the list of all ineligible women for interview here.
Suggested Interview Questions.
- What motivated your interviewee to pursue a career in the mathematical sciences?
- What is your interviewee’s educational, family and cultural background?
- What kind of work does she do?
- Does she have any advice to students who are interested in pursuing a career in the mathematical sciences?
- What are your interviewee’s hobbies?
You can use the above questions for guidance.
Benefits
The winners will receive a cash prize, membership in the association of women in mathematics, a certificate and their name and their affiliation are published in AWM’s newsletter.
Application Deadline
All contestants should submit their applications before February 1, 2022. Otherwise their application will not be accepted.
